Leaders of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) have demanded the repeal and amendment of suppressive clauses of the proposed Cyber Security Act (CSA).
They protested the quick process to pass the CSA in the National Parliament by retaining the suppressive clauses including the power of police to search and seize electronic devices, as well as the power to arrest without a warrant, said a press release issued on Monday.
This organization of professional reporters opines that if the law is passed in the parliament with the clauses ignoring the concerns, opinions, and suggestions of the national and international circles, it will not be acceptable to the journalist community in any way.
President Mursalin Nomani and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel protested on behalf of the DRU executive committee in a statement on Sunday.
“The DRU is the largest organization of professional reporters. DRU is working continuously, uncompromisingly, and impartially to protect the fair rights of journalists along with achieving professional excellence and quality improvement. But the DRU has noted with great regret that no protest of DRU was represented in the recent meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology held on the issue of the Cyber Security Act.”
Therefore, dissatisfaction and anger were expressed in the meeting of the executive committee of the organization, reads the press release.
The leaders said that if the law is passed by the National Parliament without amendment, it will be a threat to free expression and free journalism, just like the Digital Security Act.
Before the law is passed by the parliament, the leaders strongly demanded the cancellation of all restrictive clauses including Article 42 regarding the police’s power to arrest, search, and seize without a warrant, and amend the controversial clause.
