Bangladeshi newspaper editors protest digital security law

An influential body of newspaper editors in Bangladesh on Saturday criticised the government for a new digital security law that they say will stifle constitutionally protected freedom of speech and curtail press freedom.

Members of the Editors' Council told a news conference in the nation's capital, Dhaka, that they were not pleased that the bill was made a law despite their objections.

President Abdul Hamid approved the bill, known as the Digital Security Act, despite promises by three Cabinet ministers and an adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that they would address the journalists' concerns about some disputed provisions.

Shyamal Dutt, editor of the Bhorer Kagoj daily, said protesters would form a human chain in Dhaka on Monday to demand changes to the law.

The Editors' Council had postponed a street protest last month after the country's information minister said officials would look into the journalists' concerns.

"There is a Parliament session soon. We hope they will keep their promises and change some provisions," Dutt said at Saturday's news conference.

"Our points are very clear, but they did not keep their promises."
The law also authorises prison sentences of up to three years for publishing information that is "aggressive or frightening" and up to 10 years for posting information that "ruins communal harmony or creates instability or disorder or disturbs or is about to disturb the law and order situation."