The Editors' Council has demanded the repeal of the Digital Security Act (DSA) and the suspension of all pending laws against independent and free journalism immediately.
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the council's president, Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, made the call at a discussion organized at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Tuesday.
In this discussion titled “Freedom of expression is the driving force of all types of human rights”, the president of the council presented four-point to ensure free journalism.
Speakers at the event said that a culture of fear has been created in the country about expressing opinions including journalists. Freedom of expression is constantly being undermined by the DSA.
Former Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu speaking as an honored guest in the discussion Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneJournalists are being controlled not only by laws but also by the government, intelligence agencies and administration, the speakers opined.
The four-point demands raised by the Editors' Council include suspending the pending laws against independent and free journalism and excluding sections from the laws that may hinder media freedom.
Another demand was the abolishment of the DSA. They said if there was any hindrance in cancelling it, then such a clause should be added, where it will be said that this law does not apply to the media, independent journalism and freedom of expression. The cases that have been filed to date due to journalism should be withdrawn and the arrested journalists should be released.
The third point of the demands is there should be laws for the protection of journalism, which is within the spirit of the Constitution.
The last demand was that the culture of fear that has been created should be removed by the government.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneThe council also said that there can be a positive law for the protection of journalists. It is in Article 39 of the Constitution.
Former information minister Hasanul Haq Inu, also president of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, spoke as a guest at the meeting.
The New Age editor and the Editors' Council's vice president, Nurul Kabir, said: “In a one-party system, there is no opportunity to express dissent, nor is it given. A law for which all suffer, pleadings will do no good. It has been repeatedly said from the government minister and MP level that it will be amended, but it has not been done. Now a larger movement is needed to inform the government of their responsibilities.”
Daily Ittefaq Editor Tasmima Hossain said: “A culture of fear has developed here. The movement against suppressing voice is an old one, it has continued since colonial times.”
Mahfuz Anam said in the meeting: “If the Digital Security Act is used to stop cybercrime, then it is different. But now it is being used against independent journalism and expression, so let it be abolished, or add a clause that says the Digital Security Act will not apply to the media and free expression.”
Addressing Hasanul Haq Inu, he said: “We are officially proposing this to you. We, the Editors' Council, want to know what is in the draft of the Press Council Act and why it is not being shared with us.”
Hasanul Haq Inu said on the occasion: “I think the Digital Security Act should be amended rather than repealed.”
He said: “Freedom of media is non-negotiable. Everyone's safety in the cyber world should be ensured while ensuring freedom of speech. The misuse of this law against journalists should be stopped. If anyone is to be arrested, it must be done with the permission of the home minister. As the law minister of the government says that certain sections of the Digital Security Act are embarrassing the government, it needs to be amended. I will tell the government to amend it with the advice of the law ministry, and make it media friendly.”
He questioned: “Is the DSA the only danger to journalism? Apart from this, the corporate world, administration and various forces are being controlled by the owners, and the media has to think about it. Advertisements will not come, for which you do not publish news about many fields.”
Opposing this statement, Mahfuz Anam said that he wants proof that any media has published news in favour of an undemocratic process, embarrassing the government by working for military rule.
Anisul Hoque, managing editor of Prothom Alo, said that the constitution talks about freedom of expression, but it does not spell out how powerful people will not be offended. Anyone can be sued by the DSA at any time.
Mozammel Hossain Monju, acting editor of Samakal, Financial Express Editor Shamsul Haque Zahid, acting editor of Desh Rupantor Mustafa Mamun and President of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul also spoke at this discussion.