Editors to form human chain against Digital Security Act on Oct 15

The Editors’ Council will form a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club on October 15, demanding amendment to nine sections of the recently passed Digital Security Act, 2018.

Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta placed the demand in a written statement at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club in the city on Saturday.

The council at the news conference demanded that sections 8,21, 25, 28,29,31,32,43,and 53 of the act must be appropriately amended to safeguard freedom of the media and freedom of speech and the amendments should be brought about in the last session of the present parliament.

The council demanded that in conducting search in any media institution by police or any other body, they should only be permitted to block specific content but not to shut down any computer system. In blocking content, they should do so only after discussion with the editor with reasonable proof of why such content should be blocked.

The council said in blocking or confiscating any computer system of a media house, prior order from the High Court must be obtained.

The council said in case of offences relating to performance of journalistic duty by media professionals, they must be issued summons to appear before a court (as in the law now), and under no circumstances media professionals be detained or arrested without warrant and due process of law.

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