Consult media stakeholders over CSA

The Editors' Council suggests that the government consult media stakeholders before finalising the draft Cyber Security Act (CSA) 2023 so the new law also doesn't play out to be counteractive to press freedom.

In a statement, the Council Wednesday urged the government to ensure it lest the new law should also become tool of curbing the rights of news media like the existing Digital Security Act (DSA).

"We also want punishment for cybercrime. But it should be ensured that like the DSE the proposed CSA doesn't curtail the rights of news media," says the statement.

The body of editors issued the statement after the government in its cabinet meeting on Monday decided to replace the contentious present DSA with the CSA.

It, however, says the decision to repeal the Digital Security Act has proved the concern raised by all stakeholders, including the Editors Council, over the law was appropriate.

Mentioning that since the decision has been taken to repeal the DSE, the Council urged the government to withdraw the cases and release all the detainees under the law being scrapped.

The statement also says since the details about the proposed CSA have not been known, the Editors' Council wants to see what actually the new law will stand for.