Misuse of ICT Act causing concerns over Digital Security Act
There is growing concern among people about the use of the newly-passed Digital Security Act, as people have earlier seen misuses of the ICT act, said former chief information commissioner Prof M Golam Rahman yesterday.
He was speaking at a journalism award ceremony, organised by Society for Media and Suitable Human-communication Techniques (SoMaSHTe) with support of USAID at The Daily Star Centre in the capital. It awarded 13 Dhaka and Rajshahi-based mainstream journalists and citizen journalists for their work highlighting importance of combating extremism and promoting peace in the country.
“Digital Security Act should be applied to give people legal protection. The law should safeguard the digital media and thus help people enjoy the advantages of the digital media,” Golam Rahman said.
Addressing citizen journalists, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, chief executive officer and chief editor of Ekushey Television, said there is no barrier to journalism, but there are some challenges.
“As there were challenges before, newer challenges are coming everyday in various forms in journalism,” he said, adding that engagement of brave people in journalism will help the profession.
“The information that any authorities don't want published is news. Journalists should report facts and stand by the truth,” said former vice chancellor of Dhaka University Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, speaking as chief guest at the programme.
Syed Ishtiaque Reza, editor-in-chief of Gtv; Ajoy Dasgupta, deputy editor of the Daily Samakal, and Reaz Ahmad, executive editor of UNB, also spoke at the programme, conducted by SoMaSHTe Director Mir Masrur Zaman. Earlier, another SoMaSHTe official Mir Shahidul Alam delivered welcome speech.
Masud Rana of JagoNews24, Mohammad Jamil Khan of The Daily Star and Rashidul Huq Rusho of Ekattor Television received first, second and third prizes in mainstream media category respectively, while Hadisur Rahman, Raqibul Hossain and Malequzzaman Shah got first, second and third prizes in citizen journalist category.
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