CPJ for scrapping proposed cyber security law

Committee to Protect Journalists has called upon Bangladesh authorities to scrap the proposed cyber security law saying it would “stifle local media freedom”.

The proposed legislation, if passed, would have a stifling effect on media freedom in Bangladesh, said Shawn Crispin, CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative.

“We strongly urge parliament to reject the bill and ensure that any future version includes clearly defined press freedom and freedom of expression guarantees,” he said.

On August 22, Bangladesh government endorsed the draft cyber security law that proposes life term jail for spreading propaganda against Liberation War and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The draft law, however, does not specify as to what actions would be considered as propaganda against the Liberation War and Bangabandhu.