Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 15 dismissed any possibility of talks with the Sampadak Parishad (Editors’ Council) on the Digital Security Act, saying there is no scope for discussions as the law has already been enacted. She made the comment at a cabinet meeting after two ministers informed her about the Parishad’s concern over some sections of the law, as per a local media report.
When the cabinet meeting was underway at the Secretariat, the Sampadak Parishad, a platform of the editors of the country’s leading newspapers, was holding a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club to press for proper amendments to nine sections of the law. At one stage of the meeting, Law Minister Anisul Huq and Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu drew the prime minister’s attention to the editors’ concern. In reply, the PM clarified her stance on the matter, as per the report.
It is clear that the government will not change the Act, despite the pleadings of the Editor’s Council. Part of the reason may be that the fourth estate is itself divided over political leanings to formulate a co-ordinated plan of dealing with the government. A law which essentially gives police the power over journalists, and indeed, anyone else who criticises the government can’t be a well formulated or thought out law. No organsation, not even the state security apparatus, should have the power to arrest anyone without a warrant.
Termed draconian at home and abroad, the bill was passed in Parliament on September 19, ignoring concerns of journalists and rights defenders and keeping a harsh provision that allows police officials to search or arrest anyone without warrant. Some of the sections in question deal with concerns like giving arbitrary power to law enforcement agencies to confiscate media contents, vagueness in the definition of “Spirit of the Liberation War”, shrinking scope for investigative journalism, and limiting scope to write against socio-religious harmful elements such as unlawful fatwa.
It essentially provides a big gag over all journalists in general and over political activists who are of the opposition groups in particular. If anyone can be arrested on mere suspicion of being anti-Liberation War in spirit then the government must explain how killing of press freedom or freedom of speech can be consistent with the spirit of the liberation war.
Awami League is attracted by socialist politics of capturing power without election and remain in power thorough lies and gagging free press. To them, free press and freedom of expression are not spirit of liberation war. The journalists should know best but first they should break the chain of undemocratic politics.
