The Bangladeshi media largely criticizes the administration and barely report on the achievements, says Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Her remarks came on Thursday while addressing the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists biennial convention.
“It has been 37 years since I have returned the country and in this long time, the press had never cooperated. But that did not bother me,” Hasina said.
Blaming the media for its ‘negative reports’ the prime minister said, “Do report on the government’s achievements, not for me or the party’s sake. But for the country.”
Referring to reports on corruption allegations over Padma Bridge project, “But it has been later proven that there have been no graft. Is this what you call freedom of press, running false allegations?”
Making the case for the proposed Digital Security Act, Hasina assured that the journalists have no reasons to worry about it.
In late January, the cabinet green-lighted the draft of the Digital Security Act 2018, which incorporates issues addressed in the controversial Section 57 of the ICT Act in an elaborated way.
Section 57 criminalises ‘publication of fake, obscene or defaming information in electronic form’.
An offence under this provision of the Act is punishable by at least seven years to a maximum 14 years’ imprisonment. Fine can be as much as Tk 10 million.
Rights defenders have described Section 57 as ‘draconian’ saying the law-enforcers misuse it.
The new law addresses the same issues ‘in detail’, Cabinet Secretary Md Shafiul Alam had said after the government cleared the draft.
“Section 57 was concise. The new law stipulates penalties for different type of offences. It also details how investigations will be conducted.”
Journalists and rights activists say the proposed law will severely hamper investigative reporting, especially, Section 32, which defines storing and transferring confidential government data as well as aiding and abetting such efforts as espionage.
It keeps provisions of up to 14 years in jail and fines as high as Tk 2.5 million for such offences, but does not clearly define confidential data.