Law minister finds editors' concern logical

Law Minister Anisul Huq termed on Thursday the Editors' Council concern over some sections of the proposed Digital Security Act logical, reports UNB.

He gave assurance that steps would be taken so that the editors could place their recommendations in a parliamentary body meeting in this regard on April 22.

He came up with the remarks after a meeting with a delegation of the Editors' Council at the Secretariat in presence of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mostafa Jabbar and State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Junaid Ahmed Palak.

The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam led the delegation.

The minister also said he would make a proposal to invite the editors to join the meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Ministry, which is scheduled to be held on April 22 to present their concern.

Besides, they can submit their concerns in a written statement after the April 22 meeting before the standing committee fixing a date for meeting, he said.

The Act has been made to deter cybercrimes, not to obstruct the freedom of press and speech, said the minister.

The Financial Express editor Moazzem Hossain,Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, Jugantar acting editor Saiful Islam, Bangladesh Pratidin editor Nayeem Nizam, Daily Sangbad acting editor Khandakar Moniruzzaman, New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, Naya Diganta editor Alamgir Mohiuddin, Kaler Kantha editor Emdadul Haque Milon, Banik Barta editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud, Dhaka Tribune editor Zafor Sobhan and Inquilab editor AMM Bahauddin were among the delegation members.

Their points were taken cordially and the council would present their suggestions before the parliamentary standing committee when they would be asked to attend the meeting, said Mahfuz Anam after the meeting.

"We also expect that the proposed Digital Security Act will deter cybercrimes," he said.