Journalists decry Bangladeshi law

DHAKA, Bangladesh — An influential body of Bangladeshi newspaper editors on Saturday criticized the government for a new digital-security law that they say will curtail press freedom and stifle constitutionally protected freedom of speech.

Members of the Editors’ Council said at a news conference in the nation’s capital, Dhaka, that they were not pleased that the bill became law despite their objections.

President Abdul Hamid approved the bill, known as the Digital Security Act, despite promises by three Cabinet ministers and an adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that they would address the journalists’ concerns about some disputed provisions.

Shyamal Dutt, editor of the Bhorer Kagoj newspaper, said protesters would form a human chain in Dhaka on Monday to demand changes to the law.

“There is a Parliament session soon. We hope they will keep their promises and change some provisions,” Dutt said at Saturday’s news conference. “Our points are very clear, but they did not keep their promises.”

Dutt said later that the council was not opposed to having a cybersecurity law but that keeping any ambiguities that would hurt press freedom is not acceptable.

Bangladeshi journalists are taking particular umbrage with a section of the law that authorizes up to 14 years in prison for gathering, sending or preserving classified information of any government using a computer or other digital device. The journalists say publishing such information is a way to hold officials accountable.

The law also authorizes prison sentences of up to 10 years for posting information that “ruins communal harmony or creates instability or disorder or disturbs or is about to disturb the law and order situation.”

Hasina has defended the law, saying it was meant to protect the country from propaganda and misinformation.

“Journalism is surely not for increasing conflict or for tarnishing the image of the country,” she said.