5 sections of Cyber Security Act may have serious impact on journalism: Justice Hasan Arif
High Court Judge Sheikh Hasan Arif has commented that 5 sections of the Cyber Security Act 2023 may put journalists in danger. He made this comment at a workshop organized by the Law Reporters Forum at the Supreme Court Bar Association on Monday, February 26.
Senior Justice M Inayetur Rahim of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court spoke as the chief guest at the workshop. President of the forum Shamima Akhtar presided over the event. General Secretary Habibur Rahman conducted the workshop.
In the event, Sheikh Hasan Arif said that 5 sections of cyber security act can have a serious impact on journalism. These are - Sections 22, 23, 25, 27 and 28.
He said the first one is Section 22: digital or electronic fraud. Now, who will define fraud? – which act constitutes fraud and which doesn’t need to be clear. If not defined, governments through passage of time will come with different views. Each minister will have a different mindset. Many have severe intolerance. Apart from this, our political environment is also intolerant.
Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif said, since 1991, we have seen extreme intolerance between the two political parties. They don't think that they have any other method except arrest and torture in case of any kind of criticism. In this case, while suppressing the opposition political party, it can be seen that journalists can also become its victims. Journalists are targeted because they are inclined towards a political party.
Referring to Section 29 of the Cyber Security Act, this judge further said, 'The government says that this law is a journalist-friendly law or a law in favor of freedom of expression. In saying this, the government repeatedly referred to Article 29 defamation. Earlier you could be jailed for defamation. Now the provision of fine has been made.'
Attorney General Abu Mohammad (AM) Amin Uddin, chief legal officer of the state, said in the workshop regarding the speech of Justice Hasan Arif, "There is no reason for journalists to worry about cyber security act." If you do journalism with proper evidence, no one will have anything to say.'
