Scrap or face tough demo

Journalist leaders yesterday threatened the government to go for a tougher movement if it does not scrap the controversial sections of the proposed Digital Security Act-2018, such as section 32 and 19, immediately.

They also demanded resignation of Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu.

Under the banner of “Amra Sangbadkormi” [we are journalists], journalists organised a protest rally in front of the national museum in the capital to make the demands.

On January 29, the cabinet approved a draft of the act that included most parts of the section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act.

Section 57 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 provides for punishment of a maximum of 14 years in prison.

Now, the draft of Digital Security Act-2018 splits these offences into four separate sections with punishment ranging from three to 10 years' term.

Speaking at the event, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) General Secretary Sohel Haider Chowdhury said, “We [journalists] work for the country and its people. Why would such laws be formed to stop our works? The government is trying to gag the media through it…”

Jatiya Press Club Joint Secretary Elias Khan said the voice of the journalists could not be stopped by issuing the act.

“The government should scrap the controversial sections of the [Digital Security] act immediately. Otherwise, journalists will… wage a tougher movement,” he added.

Dhaka Reporters' Unity General Secretary Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo said the government has created the section 32 in the act to stop investigative journalism. This section should be scrapped, he said.