No Provision Will Be Left to Muzzle Media Under Cyber Protection Act: Information Minister
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১০-৯-২০২৬ দুপুর ২:৪৩
No Provision Will Be Left to Muzzle Media Under Cyber Protection Act: Information Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman assured on Thursday that the proposed Cyber Protection Act will not leave any scope to stifle the media or gag freedom of expression.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat following a committee meeting formed to draft the Cyber Protection Act, the minister stated that discussions and drafting are actively ongoing to prevent potential misinterpretations or legal loopholes.
"We have witnessed over the last 17 to 20 years how legislations like the Digital Security Act were weaponized to intimidate and suppress the press," Minister Rahman remarked. "We do not want a law enacted for one legitimate purpose to be repurposed for harassment."
He emphasized that consultations are actively being conducted with media representatives and will continue in subsequent stages. The government's primary objective, he affirmed, is to ensure that vague wording or dual interpretations do not leave room for administrative misuse or persecution against journalists or the public.
Highlighting the balance between regulation and civil liberties, Rahman noted that curbing activities that harm social morality on digital platforms remains a priority. He pointed out the growing surge of abusive and vulgar language on social media under the guise of free speech, stating that the government is carefully deliberating how to penalize online misconduct while safeguarding press freedom and freedom of speech.
"We want to reassure everyone that this law is not being framed to stifle voices or act as an instrument of oppression. Keeping past experiences in mind, we are drafting the legislation with extreme care to prevent any recurrence of abuse," he said.
In addition to legal measures, the Information Minister underscored the necessity of public awareness campaigns to deter the unverified sharing of content, defamation, and re-circulation of harmful material.
Speaking at the briefing, Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam stated that the committee meeting—attended by ministers from five ministries alongside journalist representatives—focused on soliciting stakeholder feedback.
"While no final decisions were made today, we discussed serious concerns surrounding harmful online content on platforms like Meta and YouTube, which have led to personal, family, and social distress," Anam noted, adding that the committee will hold its next meeting on September 28 at 11:00 AM for further detailed discussions.
Best news Desk
১০-৯-২০২৬ দুপুর ২:৪৩
Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman assured on Thursday that the proposed Cyber Protection Act will not leave any scope to stifle the media or gag freedom of expression.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat following a committee meeting formed to draft the Cyber Protection Act, the minister stated that discussions and drafting are actively ongoing to prevent potential misinterpretations or legal loopholes.
"We have witnessed over the last 17 to 20 years how legislations like the Digital Security Act were weaponized to intimidate and suppress the press," Minister Rahman remarked. "We do not want a law enacted for one legitimate purpose to be repurposed for harassment."
He emphasized that consultations are actively being conducted with media representatives and will continue in subsequent stages. The government's primary objective, he affirmed, is to ensure that vague wording or dual interpretations do not leave room for administrative misuse or persecution against journalists or the public.
Highlighting the balance between regulation and civil liberties, Rahman noted that curbing activities that harm social morality on digital platforms remains a priority. He pointed out the growing surge of abusive and vulgar language on social media under the guise of free speech, stating that the government is carefully deliberating how to penalize online misconduct while safeguarding press freedom and freedom of speech.
"We want to reassure everyone that this law is not being framed to stifle voices or act as an instrument of oppression. Keeping past experiences in mind, we are drafting the legislation with extreme care to prevent any recurrence of abuse," he said.
In addition to legal measures, the Information Minister underscored the necessity of public awareness campaigns to deter the unverified sharing of content, defamation, and re-circulation of harmful material.
Speaking at the briefing, Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam stated that the committee meeting—attended by ministers from five ministries alongside journalist representatives—focused on soliciting stakeholder feedback.
"While no final decisions were made today, we discussed serious concerns surrounding harmful online content on platforms like Meta and YouTube, which have led to personal, family, and social distress," Anam noted, adding that the committee will hold its next meeting on September 28 at 11:00 AM for further detailed discussions.
