Journos, rights activists to get acquitted in DSA cases

All journalists and rights activists would automatically be acquitted of cases filed against them under the Digital Security Act (DSA) made by the previous government, law adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said on Friday.

"When we will revoke the law, all harassment cases filed against people with different opinions will be abolished automatically," he added.

Only those who committed the hacking-related cybercrime and abused women would not be bailed out, according to Dr Asif Nazrul.

He made the remarks while addressing a programme styled 'Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU)-Desh TV Best Reporting Awards 2024' held at the Dhaka Club.

Environment, forest and climate change adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan attended the event as the special guest.

Desh TV managing director Arif Hasan, DRU best reporting award jury board chairman Shafiqul Karim and jurists, including The Financial Express editor Shamsul Huq Zahid and former ERF president Sultan Mahmud Badal, were present.

DRU president Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo presided over the event, while general secretary Mohi Uddin, organising secretary Khalid Saifullah, executive committee leaders and former leaders, among others, were also present.

At the event, Dr Asif Nazrul further said that DRU had always been democratic, although the country seriously lacked democratic practices during the fascist regime.

Professional journalists can never become accomplices of a fascist, he says, adding that strong professional platforms are the key to democracy and good governance in a country.

Ms Rizwana Hasan said environment issues have become important, thanks to reporting by journalists.

"Constructive criticism by journalists always plays a good role for the country," she said, adding that democracy and good governance seriously depend on fair journalism.

Eleven journalists in four categories received the award this year, including two journos from the FE.

FE special correspondent Jasim Uddin Haroon and staff reporter Farhan Fardaus jointly won the third prize in print media category for their report titled 'Women investors outperform men, challenging stereotypes'.

Mahmudul Hasan Nayan of Prothom Alo got the first prize in the print media category, while Ahsan Habib Russell of The Daily Star received the second prize.

Arafatul Momen Aditya of DBC News received the first prize in the electronic media category, while the second prize went to Masood Mostahid of Newstime BD and the third prize went to Parvez Nadir Reza of Ekatar Television.

In online media category, Jago News senior reporter Yasir Arafat Ripon won the first prize, the second prize was received by Dhaka Post's Jobair Hossain while Jago News senior reporter Touhiduzzaman Tanmoy won the third prize.

Abu Saleh Roni of the Dainik Samkal received the award for his report on the liberation war category.

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