Journalists, media representatives, and members of civil society have called for ensuring freedom of expression and media protection in the proposed Cyber Protection (Amendment) Act, 2026.
They said under the guise of tackling cybercrime and disinformation, there should be no scope to bring journalists under trial in mobile courts or to shut down news outlets.
At the same time, they emphasised the effective application of existing laws to deal with defamation allegations.
Speakers made these remarks at a roundtable discussion on the proposed law, held at the office of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) in Dhanmondi in the capital on Sunday.
Nineteen organisations, including TIB, BRAC, BLAST, and Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, jointly organised the discussion.
Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, president of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) and chief editor of the daily Manab Zamin, said a law is necessary to tackle cybercrime.
However, a clear distinction must be made between criticism of the government and cybercrime.
Criticism of the government will inevitably exist in a democratic society. Addressing the government, he said, “Do not tie our hands; if you tie them, we will not be able to write. Later, you will have to come back to us again.”
Opposing the provision in the proposed law to bring journalists under trial in mobile courts, Matiur Rahman said, “You are giving the power to try journalists to the same mobile court that is used to catch those who manufacture adulterated medicine! How can this even be thought of in a democratic society?”
He also questioned the scope in the proposed law to shut down a newspaper or online news media outlet for the offence of an individual. He expressed concern that if someone does not like a piece of news, it might be identified as false information or a motivated report.
In this regard, the process of determining what constitutes intentionally spread false information needs to be clear.
Matiur Rahman also questioned the necessity of the committee recently formed with high-level government figures regarding the Cyber Protection Act.
He called for holding discussions in various districts and seeking opinions from people of different classes and professions in society before finalising the law.
TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said that priority must be given to freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and media freedom in the proposed law.
Bringing digital rights, media operations, and disinformation control under the same law could create a risk of establishing excessive state control.
Mentioning that enacting laws alone is not sufficient to tackle disinformation and intentionally spread misleading information, he said that in this case, ensuring cooperation with digital platforms, fact-checking standards, algorithmic transparency, and accountability is essential.
Iftekharuzzaman called for including representatives of civil society and other relevant stakeholders alongside media professionals and technology experts in the lawmaking process.
In his view, initiatives to tackle disinformation should be such that they do not become a tool to curtail freedom of expression.
Shafiqul Alam, former press secretary to the interim government and editor of Daily Waadaa, said that to prevent defamation caused by spreading false information on social media and mass media, existing defamation laws should be enforced instead of cyber laws.
Handling such offences under cyber laws carries a risk of hampering freedom of expression. Effective remedies, including financial penalties, are required in cases of deliberate false news and character assassination.
He said that the interim government had formulated the law based on extensive consultations. It is necessary to understand why the present government wants to amend it.
Expressing anger and opinions on social media, along with YouTubers and influencers having large followings, is creating new challenges.
Social instability can also be created from their statements. Discussions should be held on what kind of law is required to address these issues, and urgent steps should be taken.
Journalist Sharifuzzaman Pintu said that human rights should not be violated nor freedom of expression curtailed in the name of protecting people from cybercrime.
He remarked, “If human rights are violated or freedom of expression and opinion is curtailed in the name of providing protection, then it will lead us towards another disaster.”
