Cyber law draft faces further scrutiny

The government has pledged to strengthen safeguards for press freedom before finalising the proposed Cyber Security (Amendment) Act, amid concerns among media stakeholders that some provisions could be misused against journalists and media organisations.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday that the government was exercising utmost caution to ensure that the proposed law did not become oppressive and that no journalist or media outlet was victimised through its misuse.

“Our primary objective is to ensure that no journalist falls victim to the misuse of this law,” he told a press briefing at the Secretariat following the government’s second consultation with representatives of the print and electronic media.

He said the draft would be finalised only after extensive consultations with IT experts, media professionals and other stakeholders and consideration of their recommendations.

The draft amendment bill was earlier placed before the Cabinet, which directed the authorities to hold wider discussions with experts and stakeholders involved in cyberspace.

The government subsequently published the draft on its website to invite public opinion.

Feedback has so far been received from various institutions, human rights organisations, students and cyberspace users, the minister said.

Monday’s consultation was the second government-organised meeting with editors, senior journalists, newspaper organisations and representatives of professional journalists’ associations.

At the first meeting on September 10, editors were asked to submit their views in writing or through the government website.

Several participants made recommendations at Monday’s meeting and pledged to submit formal proposals.

One proposal called for detailed consultations between media professionals and cyber experts to ensure that the legislation does not adversely affect journalism and contains appropriate safeguards. The government accepted the proposal.

A key safeguard discussed at the meeting was making prior court approval mandatory before taking legal action against or arresting a journalist.

Salahuddin said the government considered the proposal appropriate and logical.

Stakeholders will be given another 15 days to submit formal recommendations, which will be considered for possible inclusion in the draft.

The government is also considering a provision setting a specific timeframe for disposing of cases and appeals so that individuals do not remain in legal uncertainty indefinitely.

A special coordination mechanism will be formed to help finalise the draft.

The Principal Information Officer will serve as the focal point, while the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will jointly coordinate the process.

Representatives of the Editors’ Council, the Electronic Media Association and a panel of cyber experts formed by the IT ministry will participate in the next stage and are expected to submit recommendations within seven to 15 days.

The revised draft will then be published on the government website again for further public feedback before being placed before the Cabinet.

If the recommendations are accepted, they will be incorporated before an inter-ministerial review and submission to the Cabinet.

Following Cabinet approval, the bill will be placed before Parliament for further deliberation involving members of both the ruling and opposition parties.

Views emerging from seminars and symposiums outside Parliament will also be considered, the minister said.

The latest consultation followed concerns raised by media stakeholders that some provisions could potentially be misused against journalists and media outlets.

At a September 27 seminar, journalists, lawyers and rights activists also called for clearer definitions and stronger safeguards concerning misinformation, defamation, content removal and arrest powers.

The government, however, maintains that the proposed legislation is intended to establish a balanced legal framework to protect the country, society and young people from cybercrime and other criminal activities.

Salahuddin said the law would also seek to comply with international standards while protecting social and religious harmony, family values and indigenous culture.