Zafrullah wants Digital Security Act to be revoked

FE Team | Published: October 26, 2020 21:57:54

Ganoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury on Monday urged the government to abolish the Digital Security Act for strengthening democracy and removing the obstacle to investigative journalism, reports UNB.
Speaking at a human-chain programme, he also called upon the government to withdraw all the cases filed against journalists under the act and ensure freedom of the press.
"Give journalists the scope for divulging facts. All the cases filed against them have to be withdrawn. Not only that, I also call upon the Prime Minister to annul the Digital Security Act and send it to the grave. It'll benefit you (PM), the country and its people. It'll also help strengthen democracy," Zafrullah said.
Bangladesh Mofussil Journalists' Association arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding the release of Ruhul Amin Gazi, president of a faction of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ).
Stating that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged journalists to write reports based on facts shunning yellow journalism, he said unethical or yellow journalism flourishes when the freedom of press is obstructed.
"When such an act (digital security one) is used against journalists to prevent them from investigating facts, then yellow journalism and militancy emerge in the country," the noted intellectual observed.
Zafrullah, also a freedom fighter, alleged that the government's wrong policy, unfair behaviour and repressive acts are taking the country to a wrong direction.
He also criticised the government for arresting some journalists under the Digital Security Act.