False Fear Factor?

Utpal Dutta : US ambassador extends international concerns about Digital Security Act fearing that the act could be used to suppress free speech that might bear on democracy, development and prosperity in Bangladesh. Marcia Bernicat says it in a statement on Sunday in Dhaka.
Earlier in New York, PM, Sheikh Hasina defends Digital Act, 2018 is “not against the journalists”, arguing the spread of cybercrime as a global phenomenon. She stands firm for the enactment of Digital Act 2018 in New York on Friday while replying to a query at a press conference.
Sheikh Hasina invalidates the approaches of partial observation by calling the journalist as ‘law fearing’. “You (journalists) are only seeing one side of the law fearing it could gag you. In fact, there is nothing to muzzle the journalists,” fixes PM in the conference.
Upholding the significance of fair practice of Journalism PM affirms, a journalist should not be scared if he fairly goes with her job. “Why a journalist will be scared if he practises fair journalism?” She inquired further.
The act is not to gag the journalist. There is nothing to fear the law. She insists that the Cyber Security Issue attributes the UN Assembly too. Militant and Terrorist act around the world gives incentives to worried nations to incite and use ICT.
Whether it is essential to probe several offences in social media, digital arena at a time when each and every one including minors from the society grabs it extensively. Consequently, stepping into wrong trail could be an inevitable outcome in absence of cyber security.
Much has been discussed, disputed and even featured that likely to be unjust for the journo while ICT Act, 2018 is taken into account. Trends still goes on.
Legal experts and civil society members altogether expressed fear that the Digital Security Act might be used to restrict the freedom of expression in digital arena.
‘Protecting Fundamental Rights’, a discussion held in the capital on Saturday.
Noted lawyer Shahdeen Malik viewed the Digital Act, 2018 from his diverse angle, “A specific law to address the misuse of computer system and internet is necessary for the country but not in the way which will curb the freedom of expression of the people.”
Alongside members of the civil societies legal experts voices there concern about the act. In accordance with a number of noted legal experts apart from section 32 and 57 of the Act there are more are there could gag the journo and civil society as well.
Digital Security Act, 2018 passed in the Parliament on 19 September. The Act itself witnessed a yearlong controversy amidst the civil society, while most the blows come out from journalist, legal expert and human right activists.
And this time US Ambassador shares international concern for Bangladesh in regards of DSA.
The paradigm faces upheaval when PM asks for not to fear but practising fair journalism.
The writer is an editorial assistant, The New York Times, Bangladesh National Section