Digital Security Act: JS body sits with media representatives May 22

The parliamentary standing committee on post telecom and ICT will hold talks with the media representatives on May 22 to discuss issues regarding the proposed Digital Security Act, law minister said today.  

The meeting will be held with the representatives of the Editors' Council, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO), Law Minister Anisul Huq told reporters after attending a meeting as chief guest at a city hotel.  

Amendment will be brought to the some of the sections of the proposed Digital Security Act if it is necessary for removing any vagueness, the minister added. 

Meanwhile, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu at a discussion said that the government will not formulate any law which will curb freedom of expression.

Addressing the discussion organised by Jatiya Press Club marking the World Press Freedom Day, Minister Inu said they are formulating the Digital Security Act to control digital crime but it is not targeting journalists or newspapers.

“The law is still in draft stage,” he said adding “Ministers of the government have already discussed with them who have raised questions on some articles of the Act”.

In April, Editors' Council, an organisation of editors of the country's national dailies, expressed grave concern over the section 21, 25, 28, 31, 32, and 43 of the proposed law. It said the sections would greatly hamper freedom of speech and independent journalism.

The much-debated Digital Security Bill-2018 was placed in parliament on April 9.

The government on several occasions said section 57 of the ICT Act would be removed. The section deals with defamation, hurting religious sentiments, causing deterioration of law and order, and instigating against any person or organisation through publishing or transmitting any material in websites or in electronic form. It stipulates maximum 14 years in prison for the offences.

The Digital Security Bill-2018 splits these offences into four separate sections (21, 25, 28 and 29) with punishment ranging from three to 10 years' jail terms.

The cabinet on January 29 approved the draft act.