The proposed Digital Security Act will be table as a bill during the parliament’s next session after a House panel revision included provisions of 14 years jail and Tk 10 million fine for defaming the national flag and national anthem.
The proposed law, however, has drawn criticism with journalists and rights activists saying it will stifle the media as several of its provisions will effectively prevent investigative reporting.
A meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Post and Telecommunication Ministry on Wednesday decided to amend Sections 3, 5, 12, 21 and 53.
The panel earlier met with representatives from the media twice and will meet once again if necessary before finanilsing its report.
“We want to submit our report on the very first day of the next session,” the House panel’s Chairman Imran Ahmed told Bangla Tribune.
He said they have included a provision for 14-year jail term and Tk 10 million fine for of defaming the national flag and the national anthem.
However, the issues raised by media representatives were not taken into account, according to people familiar with matter.
The parliament panel chief, however, said, “We considered only the reasonable one. And the law is being formulated in the interest of the nation and its people, not for some individual.”
Asked whether the revised provision would address the media’s concern, Imran Ahmed said, “We tried to adjust as far as it was possible. We cannot ditch everything.”
The 22nd as well as the last session of the 10th Parliament is scheduled to begin on the second week of September.