Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) has expressed deep concern as the Cyber Security Act 2023 recently passed by the National Parliament includes dangerous clauses like the Digital Security Act, despite strong objections from journalists’ organizations.
President Mursalin Nomani and General Secretary Mainul Hassan Sohel expressed this concern on behalf of the DRU Executive Committee in a statement on Friday (September 15).
DRU leaders said the government enacted the Digital Security Act despite opposition from the journalist community. In the face of criticism from all quarters, including journalists, it was decided to change it and enact the Cyber Security Act. From the beginning of this legislation, we have been demanding the repeal of some clauses as restrictive.
They said that in the meeting of the parliamentary standing committee, amendments were proposed in some sections of the Cyber Security Act proposed by the journalists. The suggestions were expected by journalists to be adopted in the form of amendments, but no reflection was seen in the recently passed cyber security law.
They said, ignoring the suggestions of the parties, Section 42 of the Cyber Security Act has given the police the power to search and arrest without a warrant. Such a restrictive clause would be a hindrance and threat to free expression.
The leaders said that the corrupt and miscreants of the society will use this law as a powerful tool against the media workers, which will hinder the free and objective reporting of the journalists.
The leaders also said that the fact that the Cyber Security Act was passed by ignoring the suggestions of the stakeholders is in no way acceptable. Journalism is a responsible profession and a free field of intellectual practice. Some sections of the cyber security act have created a fear of narrowing the field of journalistic practice. The leaders demanded immediate correction of all these dangerous clauses.