A group of teachers and scholars of journalism and media studies have called upon the government to reconsider the “draconian” Digital Security Act.

In a statement undersigned by 40 university teachers, they voiced fears that the law will cub free journalism and pave way for mass harassment.

Also, they feared that the law, empowered with high penalties, will be used as an iron hand to suppress the social media users, writers and journalists.

They recommended that the government scrap “controversial” sections 21, 25, 28, 31, 32, and 43 of the Act, reduce penalty and make the offense bailable, and scrap the police’s power to arrest anyone without a warrant.

The teachers and scholars are from several public and private universities at home and abroad including Dhaka University, Chittagong University and Rajshahi University.

The signatories include Prof Geeti Ara Nasreen, Prof Kaberi Gayen, Prof Fahmidul Haq and Prof Robayet Ferdous of Dhaka University’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, among others.