Editors seek amendments in next parliament session

Newspaper editors have demanded amendments to nine sections of the Digital Security Act-2018 in the upcoming parliamentary session slated for October 21.

General secretary of Editors' Council and editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam made the demand at a human chain formed outside the National Press Club on Monday.

The council has long demanded changes to sections 8, 21, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 43 and 53 of the law.

The editors termed the sections harmful to the cause of independent journalism and freedom of expression.

Placing a seven-point demand, Mr Anam said the council has long been protesting against some specific sections of the law before it was passed in parliament.

"We're not against the law. We only want amendments to some specific sections. It will not only hamper cyber world, but also freedom of the media," he stated.

"We want that freedom of the press be ensured through amending these sections in the next parliamentary session," Mr Anam mentioned.

Expressing optimism, he said the government would accept their demands and take necessary steps to make the law acceptable to all.

About the information minister's offer for continuation of talks, the Star editor said they participated in the dialogue with trust but that was not reflected.

"Some ministers say the door is still open for talks. We also don't think the door is closed. Don't make it a mockery in the name of discussion."

"We want fruitful discussion that will lead to an acceptable solution," Mr Anam added.

Talking to the media after the programme, Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman said police can go to any media house without permission and shut it down.

Even the lawmen can seize computers or other devices and arrest people working there, he added.

"The government should listen to our voices. We're not in a fight against the government. We've no political purpose," Mr Rahman uttered.

"We want to work logically, independently. If we commit anything wrong, we'll admit it. If we don't, we'll be dealt with according to the law," he stated.

The council's five other demands are given below:

Police or any other body conducting search in any media institution will only be permitted to block specific content but to not shut down any computer system.

To block any content, they should discuss the matter with the editor with reasonable proof of why such content should be blocked.

Court order must be obtained before blocking or confiscating any computer system of a media house.

Court summons must be issued, as is the law now, against media professionals to produce them before a court in cases of offences and without any arrest warrants and following due legal procedures, no media professionals should be detained or arrested.

In instances of offences made by media professionals, it should be routed through the Press Council to establish prima facie case. For this purpose, the Press Council may be strengthened appropriately.

The primacy of the Right to Information Act, passed by this government, should be unequivocally established above the Digital Security Act, and all freedom and rights granted under the law to citizens and the media must be protected.

A total of 16 editors took part in the programme.

They are Manabzamin Matiur editor Rahman Chowdhury, New Age editor Nurul Kabir, Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, Bangladesh Pratidin editor Naem Nizam, Kaler Kantho editor Imdadul Haq Milan, Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta, Naya Diganta editor Alamgir Mohiuddin, Karatoa editor Mozammel Haque, Inqilab editor AMM Bahauddin, Independent editor M Shamsur Rahman, The Financial Express acting editor Shahiduzzaman Khan, Sangbad acting editor Khandaker Muniruzzaman, Jugantor acting editor Saiful Alam, Bonik Barta editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud, Dhaka Tribune editor Zafar Sobhan and Samakal acting editor Mustafiz Shafi.

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