Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) has urged the government to repeal the 'controversial' Section 57 of the ICT Act as well as to review some sections of the proposed Digital Security (DS) Act 2018.
According to the TIB statement, sections 8, 21, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 43, and 58 of the proposed DS Act need to be reviewed.
The anti-graft watchdog also urged the government to hold dialogues in this regard with different bodies concerned, including media representatives.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said in the statement that the proposed DS Act, approved by the cabinet, is contradictory to the constitutional rights of freedom of expression along with ideology of the country's Liberation War.
The proposed act is being formulated in the name of ensuring digital security. But in fact it will make the freedom of expression insecure as well as make the basic exercise of human rights for media personnel and mass people vulnerable, he added.
He expressed frustration over not addressing the 'controversial' sections in parliament despite grave concerns from different stakeholders.
Exposing various irregularities and anomalies to public would become impossible (due to these sections), and these would ultimately work in favour of misusing power and spreading corruption, the TIB ED noted.
Section 57 has already created fear among media men, resulting in self-censorship. Besides, it has emerged as an obstacle towards ensuring freedom of expression, he added.
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