Independent journalism to face more pressure

The gazette declaring 29 government agencies and institutions as "critical information infrastructure" will create new pressure and obstacles in pursuing independent journalism, Sampadak Parishad (Editors' Council) has said.

In a statement yesterday, the council voiced concerns over the gazette published in this regard, urging the authorities to remove ambiguities from it.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division made the declaration in line with section 15 of the Digital Security Act-2018 to safeguard "sensitive" information and data from cyberattacks, reads the statement.

"Journalists' right to access to information has been hampered due to the declaration of the 29 government bodies as critical information infrastructure," reads the statement.

Because of the issuance of the gazette, there will be no scope for getting information on any failure of the organisations concerned in providing services, the council said, adding this would pose a threat to independent journalism.

At the same time, the gazette will encourage internal corruption, irregularities and a lack of accountability within the institutions concerned, it further says.

The council issued the statement after a meeting on Tuesday.

The authorities need to clarify the gazette declaring the 29 organisations as critical information infrastructure, since the Right to Information Act says access to information is a fundamental right, it noted. 

The organisations include the President's Office, the Prime Minister's Office, the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, Bangladesh Bank, Bridges Division, immigration and passport department, national data centre, Bangladesh Computer Council, national identity card wing, the Election Commission Secretariat, Biman, Power Development Board, Titas gas company, and Bangabandhu satellite company.

According to section 16(1) of the DSA, the director general of the digital security agency will visit, if necessary, the important information infrastructure from time to time to see if the rules of the law are being followed properly. 

Illegal entry to the important information infrastructure is a violation of the law and there is a provision for seven years' imprisonment or a fine of up to Tk 25 lakh or both.

Harming or attempting to harm the infrastructure after entering it illegally can be punished by 14 years in prison or a fine of up to Tk 1 crore or both. A repeat offender can be punished by life imprisonment and a fine of no more than Tk 5 crore or both.

The DSA is already obstructing social media, freedom of speech and free thinking. Journalists, legal experts, rights activists, representatives of the civil society, and multiple ministers and parliament members continue to make recommendations to change or revise the law.

According to the DSA, critical information infrastructures are those that control, process, circulate or preserve any information, data or electronic information that if damaged or critically affected, may adversely affect public safety, financial security, public health, national security or national integrity, and sovereignty.

Besides, the council earlier voiced concern over a move to amend the Press Council Law without stakeholders' suggestions.

The meeting was presided over by its President and The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam. It was attended by Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, Manabzamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, Inqilab Editor AMM Bahauddin, Jugantor Editor Saiful Alam, The Financial Express Editor Shamsul Huq Zahid, Samakal acting editor Muzammil Husain, Desh Rupantor acting editor Mostafa Mamun, Sangbad Executive Editor Shahriar Karim, and the council's General Secretary and Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud. Dainik Azadi Editor MA Malek joined the meeting virtually.