Dhaka, Sep 29 (Just News): Eminent jurist Dr Shahdeen Malik today said there will be no freedom of expression following the implementation of Digital Security Act-2018.
He said this while addressing a discussion organised by Committee for ‘Protecting Fundamental Rights’ at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity’s Sagar-Runi Auditorium.
“There might be freedom of expression if spoken through loudspeakers but what will be the consequence if media exercises it using a computer, internet and the like?”
Expressing his frustration over the journalist community to limit their focus only to its Section 32, the legal expert said, “In my view, the Section 32 of the law is a less dangerous one, there are several other horrific sections from which the focus has been diverted by them (journalists).”
“We draw the example of the US democracy now and then; you may say the US is a developed country, so there can be no comparison with it. But can we not be like the US in 1971? How many centuries will we need to reach the democratic state prevailing in the US around 215 years ago? The US constitution in 1971 stated that the Congress won’t be able to formulate any law that may gag the freedom of expression,” he said.
“The Digital Security Act has abolished the freedom of expression in the country,” he also said.
The much-debated Digital Security Bill 2018 was passed in parliament on September 19 with a harsh provision allowing police officials to search or arrest anyone without any warrant.
(Justnews/ys/2310hr)
