The data protection act and OTT and BTRC regulation will be formulated with the opinions received from the partners. Besides, another meeting will be held soon on the Digital Security Act, said Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haque. He also assured that nothing would be done to curtail the responsibility of independent journalism or independent news coverage.
The minister made the remarks at a ‘BSRF Dialogue’ on Media Workers Act, Digital Security Act and Data Protection Act at the Media Center at the Secretariat on Tuesday, May 31. The Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) hosted the dialogue. BSRF President Tapan Biswas presided over the dialogue. The program was conducted by BSRF General Secretary Masudul Haque.
In the dialogue, the law minister said about the Data Protection Act, ‘The metropolitan chamber of commerce and industry met me and told me their advantages and disadvantages. I have been informed. I have spoken to the Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology. Tomorrow (June 1) I will sit with him. He also said that we will review it (Data Protection Act).’
He said there was no discussion with stakeholders about the (Data Protection Act) Act. I will make sure that the stakeholders are consulted.
The law minister further said, “I am ‘bringing’ all the laws around the world to review the data protection laws. I am talking to those who are experts in this field.”
Noting that the number of cases under the Digital Security Act is declining due to the government’s move, the law minister said that even if a case is filed, arrests are not being made immediately.
He further added that the government had proposed amendments to the Digital Security Act in areas where there were problems. While asked how far it has progressed, the law minister said, “In December 2019, Bangladesh had a meeting with the office of the UN High Commission for Human Rights in Geneva through the UN Residence Coordinator.” We have both decided that there will be a committee from our side, and a committee from their side as well. I will see the best practices in the world. After seeing, which one is applicable in terms of Bangladesh, I will accept it. We have formed a committee headed by the Legislative Secretary.
Anisul Haque said they also held a meeting. I have heard that there will be another meeting soon.
The law minister said that this meeting is going on, but no decision has been taken yet. Will the misuse of the digital security law that you are talking about continue? That is why, we have taken another step. Now no case is taken directly under the Digital Security Act. Now the case is sent to a specific cell.
‘I think you’ve already seen it. Cases under the Digital Security Act are also declining. He added that if a case is filed again, arrests will not be made immediately.
“The position we have taken is going up to the ground level,” said Anisul Haque. “It will stop misuse and abuse InshaAllah.”
“We want to reassure everyone that the digital security act is designed to fight cybercrime,” he said. The government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will not enact any law that would curtail the responsibility of independent journalism or independent news coverage.
“We have come to serve the people,” he said. If there is any error or deviation through this, if the people want to say it, we will listen to. We will do it if we need a remedy.
The workers filed a case against Dr. Muhammad Yunus. That case has been withdrawn. Mr. Yunus has agreed to pay the disputed amount of Tk. 437 crore and the case has been withdrawn. In this regard, news has been published in various media about the withdrawal of the case. But what has happened on social media – who has so much power? The minister laughed.
On the issue of media workers law, Anisul Haque said that there is a need for media workers law for journalists. However, I have already spoken to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting so that you can comment on this law. I will also ask the Parliamentary Standing Committee to hold discussions with the representatives of the journalists.
At the request of the journalists, the law minister said, “You should ask for correcting the law, not to repeal it. The law will benefit you.”
“You mentioned three laws. It is accompanied by OTT and BTRC regulations. I am discussing all these issues”, added the law minister.
