Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) fears that the proposed Cyber Security Act, 2023, which will replace the Digital Security Act, will hinder free media and free expression.
In this act, the provision of a maximum fine of Tk25 lakh has been made as a punishment for publishing defamatory information in the media.
On the other hand, the proceedings of cases ongoing under the Digital Security Act will continue. Therefore, the journalist community feels that the Cyber Security Act will be a serious threat to independent and free journalism, just like the Digital Security Act, according to a joint statement issued on Tuesday.
In the statement, DRU President Mursalin Nomani and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohail on behalf of the DRU Executive Committee said that the journalist community has been demanding the repeal of the Digital Security Act since its enactment.
“International circles have also been criticizing the law. It was thought that the government would remove all obstacles to free and independent journalism by repealing this law. However, the journalist society is extremely disappointed with the decision of the Cabinet on Monday to replace the DSA with the Cyber Security Act without cancelling the Digital Security Act.”
The DRU leaders said that the journalist society will not accept any law restricting the media and journalists. There was no discussion with the journalist community about the decision to introduce the Cyber Security Act instead of the Digital Security Act, so the journalist community is in a state of confusion.
The journalist community could not know the details of the proposed cyber security law regarding journalists, added the statement.
DRU said as a major platform for professional journalists it feels that if there is any objection regarding any news published in the media, it is appropriate to apply it through the press council.
“The proposed Cyber Security Act does not want any journalist to be prosecuted for the news they publish. Therefore, we call for the repeal of the penalty provisions in the proposed law and the withdrawal of all cases already filed under the Digital Security Act,” the statement said.
In such a situation, if the opinions of journalists' organizations are not taken before making any law, it will be considered as a restrictive law by the journalist society, it added.
