Journalists will not face legal action or arrest under the proposed “Cyber Security (Amendment) Act, 2026” without prior permission from a court, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced on Monday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Secretariat, Salahuddin said the government has accepted this requirement to ensure the law does not target or victimise media professionals.
The decision came during a stakeholder consultation with print and electronic media leaders at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting conference room.
Describing the proposal as appropriate and logical, Salahuddin confirmed that the matter of court permission will be added to the draft bill once stakeholders submit formal recommendations within 15 days.
“We did not want and do not want to enact this law by targeting the media,” the home minister said, emphasising that the government’s primary goal is to prevent any misuse of the law against journalists.
The government also decided to introduce strict time limits for disposing of cases and appeals so individuals are not left facing indefinite legal delays.
The safeguards follow a proposal by The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, who advocated for intensive discussions between media and cyber experts to include essential “saving clauses” and protections so the press is not harmed.
The session marked the government’s second consultation with editors, prominent journalists, media organisations, and professional journalist associations, following an initial meeting on 10 September where editors agreed to provide written feedback.
The draft bill was previously presented to the Cabinet, which instructed officials to carry out broad consultations with IT experts and relevant stakeholders across cyberspace.
To ensure the bill does not become a repressive instrument, the text was published on the official website to gather public feedback, with submissions already compiled from institutions, human rights organisations, students, and digital users.
To oversee the final drafting process, Salahuddin announced a special coordination framework led jointly by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, naming the Principal Information Officer (PIO) as the focal point.
Representatives from the Editors’ Council, the Electronic Media Association, and a specialised panel of cyber experts will submit targeted recommendations within seven to 15 days.
After this period, representatives from the relevant ministries and committees will meet to make joint decisions on the final provisions.
Outlining the legislative roadmap, Salahuddin said the revised draft will be published on the official website once again for public review before submission to the Cabinet.
After inter-ministerial review and Cabinet approval, the bill will be tabled in the Parliament, where it will undergo debates involving government and opposition members, as well as inputs from external seminars and symposiums, rather than being rushed through.
Reiterating the purpose of “Cyber Security (Amendment) Act, 2026,” the home minister affirmed that the government aims to establish a balanced framework to protect the nation, society, and youth from cyber crimes.
He stressed that the legislation is designed to preserve social and religious harmony, family bonds, and national culture while remaining aligned with international standards.
