Govt would amend DSA, if necessary

Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday said the government would, if necessary, bring changes to the Digital Security Act to ensure the best practice as the law was misused to some extent.

"I had a meeting with the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva through the UN resident coordinator in December 2019 to know how to ensure the best practice of the Digital Security Act in our country. After that, a committee was formed comprising representatives from the ministries of law, foreign affairs, home affairs, and information and communication technology to work with the UNHRC on this issue.

"The committee held a meeting with the UNHRC and will hold another one soon. After receiving its recommendations, the government will take necessary measures in this regard. Besides, the European Union has wanted to provide us with technical assistance to this effect," he said.

The minister was responding to queries from reporters at a "Meet the Press", organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at its office at the secretariat.

Anisul said the government had taken some measures to prevent misuse of the DSA.

"I have spoken to the home minister in this regard. He issued a directive to make sure that if anybody files a case under the Digital Security Act, it is sent to a cell, established under the Information and Communication Technology Act-2006 comprising a high official and a legal analyst, for examination.

"If the cell finds it to be a prima facie case [that has enough elementary evidence], it will be sent to the court concerned for trial. If there is no necessary [or sufficient] information or data, it would not be accepted," the minister said.

He said the number of cases and arrests under the DSA has already come down.

Replying to a question, Anisul said there are some non-bailable offences under the DSA, but that doesn't mean that a court cannot grant bail to an accused. Granting bail is at the discretion of the court after hearing arguments from both sides, he said.

He said the DSA has been formulated to tackle cybercrime and not to curtail freedom of press and freedom of expression.

The minister requested journalist leaders to submit a report to his office explaining their objections to the proposed Mass Media Employees (Services Conditions) Act so that the government can bring changes to the proposed law and the journalists can benefit from it.

Anisul said cybercrimes, including distortion of history and making derogatory comments about Hazrat Muhammad (SM) and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on social medial, are being committed, and therefore, the government wants the media to be run in a disciplined manner.

He said the government will formulate the Personal Data Protection Act and OTT platform regulations after soliciting opinions from the stakeholders, including journalists, so that the independence of press and freedom of expression are not curtailed.

BSFR President Tapan Biswas and General Secretary Masudul Hoque also spoke at the event.