Law minister: Editors’ Council can propose amendments to Digital Security Act to standing committee

Law Minister Anisul Huq has assured the Editors’ Council of arranging a meeting with the parliamentary standing committee on post, telecommunication, and ICT, to place their concerns regarding amendments to the Digital Security Act. He gave the assurance after a meeting with the council held at the Secretariat on Thursday. The minister said he would propose to the parliamentary body to invite the council members to its meeting to be held on April 22. The Editors’ Council expressed concern over articles 21, 25, 28, 31, 32 and 43 of the Digital Security Act. The law minister said the bill on the act is currently under scrutiny of the parliamentary standing committee on post, telecommunication, and ICT. The Editors' Council thinks cyber crime should be deterred but the laws against cyber crime must not prevent free speech and free press, said the Council's General Secretary and The Daily Star Editor, Mahfuz Anam. He said the council will place its proposals before the parliamentary standing committee meeting.