A climate of intimidation, brought about by the murder of several bloggers and the threat of arrest under the ICT Act, has fostered self-censorship and mistrust in Bangladesh, according to a US-based democracy watchdog.
In its report, Freedom House said journalists faced legal constraints and threats in Bangladesh despite official pronouncements by the Awami League-led government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that access to the internet and open communication were critical for development.
The Bangladesh country report of the organisation’s Freedom on the Net 2015 study noted that censorship in the country had not increased in the last year.
Freedom House, which bills itself as a “clear voice for democracy and freedom around the world,” is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that receives US federal government funding.
Its report is based on media reports by various local and international media outlets and includes a case study of a 25-year-old man who was awarded seven years in prison under the ICT Act for recording songs parodying the prime minister and the father of the nation and sharing them on his mobile phone.
The report noted at least two other arrests made over comments about the prime minister. It said checks on bloggers and online activity were harsher as a result of the 2006 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act.
The act was used for the first time in April 2013 to arrest four bloggers who wrote mostly against religious extremism.
By August 2013, an amendment was passed increasing the penalty under the act to a minimum of 7 years and a maximum of 14 years in prison.
Police no longer require a warrant to make arrests under the amended act. The number of prosecutions is rising.