Amend Digital Security Act in this JS session

Speakers at a discussion yesterday demanded that the government amend the Digital Security Act-2018 in the current session of parliament.

Not only the journalists, but also the people would be affected by the controversial sections of the act, as media would not able to unveil corruption, they said.

Law Reporters Forum organised the discussion titled “Free Mass Media: In the context of Digital Security Act” at the Jatiya Press Club.

Parliament on September 19 passed the act amid huge criticism over several sections of the law. Editors and right activities said the sections would restrict free-thinking, freedom of speech, expression, and the media.

From a human chain programme on October 15, the Sampadak Parishad (Editors' Council), demanded proper amendments to nine sections of the act in the last session of the current parliament for the sake of independent journalism and freedom of expression.

Yesterday, journalist Mizanur Rahman Khan in his keynote paper said punishment is proportional to a crime, but this norm was not followed in the Digital Security Act.

As per the act, the main perpetrator and their accomplices face the same punishment, he said. If the act is not amended, it can be challenged at the court, he added.

Bar Council Vice-Chairman Yusuf Hossain Humayun said the act was made for the people. However, it is amendable and if necessary, the section in question can be repealed.

Supreme Court Bar Association  President Zainul Abedin alleged that the government enacted the law ignoring journalists' demands to protect the corrupt ahead of the election.

It is a matter of concern that the law empowered police to search and arrest journalists, he said, adding that the law would be abused.

He hoped the government would amend the law with the two remaining days of the current session of parliament.

Shyamal Dutta, editor, Bhorer Kagoj, said they did not demand repeal of the entire law, rather raised concern about nine sections of the act.

He said they would be pressing on with their demand for amending the law and would continue discussions with the government with a hope for solving the issue.

Dhaka University Law Professor Asif Nazrul said this was not a digital security act, but rather an act to protect the power of the powerful.

Barrister Sara Hossain said she hoped good sense would prevail and the government would amend the law to end the concerns of the people.

Journalist leader Saban Mahmud said journalists would not accept the law and would take a tough stance if it was not amended.

Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader recently said, “There is no scope for such amendment in this tenure of the government ... However, we will keep watch so that the law is not misused. We will do it seriously ... .”