Amending the Cyber ​​Security Act could be suicidal for the government

Passing the proposed Cyber Security (Amendment) Act while ignoring stakeholders' opinions will prove detrimental to freedom of expression and could become self-defeating for the government, warned Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman. According to him, controlling misinformation and cybercrime through social media requires ensuring the accountability of relevant technology platforms rather than relying solely on draconian laws.

These remarks were made on Sunday (October 18, 2026) at a consultation meeting held at the TIB office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, organized to review and provide feedback on the proposed Cyber Security (Amendment) Act, 2026. The meeting brought together 19 civil society organizations and recently formed 17-member media committee representatives, moderated by TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman stated that countries successfully curbing misinformation have ensured transparency and accountability in social media algorithms. Profit-driven operations of platforms like Facebook play a crucial role in spreading fake news and misinformation. Driven by commercial expansion, Meta amplifies conflict and inflammatory rhetoric while censoring secular and rational discourse. The unholy nexus between political power and tech businesses infringes upon citizens' fundamental rights, he remarked, adding that imposing stringent laws on ordinary citizens without ensuring platform accountability is not a sustainable solution. Passing the law in its current framework without stakeholder consent would boomerang on the government. Criminalizing citizens' fundamental rights under the guise of stopping misinformation is unacceptable, he stressed, emphasizing unity between civil society and media to protect expression.

Newspapers Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) President and Prothom Alo/Manab Zamin Chief Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury asserted that while laws are needed to counter cybercrime, government criticism must not be equated with crime. Criticism of the government is natural in a democratic society, and laws should be framed keeping in mind that power is not permanent. Addressing the government, he warned against tying the media's hands, stating that doing so would ultimately harm the administration as they will eventually need the media. Terming provisions to shut down entire media outlets for individual offenses illogical, he questioned why a high-level government committee was formed for the cyber law when the government itself is in power. He cautioned that leaving room to control freedom of expression under the pretext of combating cybercrime threatens democracy. Provisions allowing media shutdowns, equipment seizures based on suspicion, and mobile courts for journalists create massive risks of abuse, potentially allowing local political figures to arbitrarily target critics. He urged defining intentional misinformation and consulting diverse groups before passing legislation.

Daily Wada Editor Shafiqul Alam emphasized the need for effective mechanisms to curb character assassination and malicious propaganda by social media influencers and YouTubers. Pointing out the misuse of Facebook in historical incidents such as the Ramu Buddhist temple attacks in 2012, instigation of the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar in 2017, and recent mob lynching incidents fueled by online rumors, he noted that the lack of immediate coordination channels with Facebook authorities makes violence prevention difficult. He called for dropping section 26(a) of the proposed law, removing defamation as a criminal offense under section 25, preventing misuse of section 8(3), and abolishing mobile court jurisdiction over journalists. Suggesting civil defamation suits with heavy financial penalties and compensation instead of criminal prosecution, he argued this would protect victims without suppressing free expression. Noting that defamation laws are poorly enforced in Bangladesh, he added that online defamation inflicts long-term damage, urging responsible journalism.

Dhaka Union of Journalists President Shahidul Islam expressed concern that the investigative powers granted in the proposed law seem tailored to protect those in power and limit independent journalism. He criticized provisions allowing entire media houses to be shut down for individual errors and empowering investigators to seize data centers and technical equipment based on mere suspicion. Highlighting the lack of clear definitions for sensitive issues like defamation, he called for incorporating grassroots journalists' experiences.

Politiexpress Editor and Publisher Sharifuzzaman Pintu raised objections over immunity provisions, vague definitions of offenses, and opaque online content-blocking procedures in the proposed draft. He demanded clear guarantees protecting mainstream journalism from legal abuse. Questioning the proposed structure of the National Cyber Security Council, consisting of the Prime Minister, ministers, secretaries, and intelligence chiefs, he argued it lacks civil society representation and checks and balances. Granting absolute power to the executive branch is detrimental to democracy, he noted, demanding that at least one-third of the council comprise human rights activists and journalist organization representatives.

//DBTech/IH/SMP/MIST//