Dhaka, Oct 3 (Just News): Criticising those who are opposing the Digital Security Act, prime minister Sheikh Hasina has alleged a section of media houses has been eagerly waiting for a ‘suitable time’ to attack her by publishing news against her.
“They have reasons to be worried as they want to defeat me. They have prepared documents to be published against me,” said the prime minister when she was asked about the worries about the act.
She was briefing media about her UN trip at her official residence Ganabhaban on Wednesday afternoon.
The government has recently passed the Digital Security Act 2018.
Various sections including the media houses have expressed serious concern at some provisions of the law that, they say, will curb the freedom of expression.
Sheikh Hasina assured newsmen that those who will not publish biased news items have no need to be worried.
The Editors’ Council, a platform of editors of daily newspaper, held a meeting with three ministers including the information minister at the secretariat on 30 September. The law minister later said they would hold further talks about the law, subject to cabinet approval.
The leading editors including Matiur Rahman of Prothom Alo, Mafuz Anam of the Daily Star, Reazuddin Ahmed of founding editor of News Today, Zafar Sobhan of Dhaka Tribune and Motiur Rahman Chowdhury of Bangla daily Manabzamin were present.
In reference to the meeting, Sheikh Hasina said, “I saw those who sat at the meeting on the Digital Security Act. They are ready to write against me. In fact, those who are offenders should be afraid of the act.”
“What will you do for those who are humiliated for publishing false news? Didn’t you show any sympathy for them?” she asked.
The Digital Security Act, passed by parliament on 19 September, has already been signed by the speaker and is awaiting the president's assent.
The prime minister said the act has been passed to tackle militancy. The cybercrime has been a major concern for all the countries, she pointed out.
About the scraping quota in the public service recruitment, she said the quota has been scraped as many do not want it.
“If you want restoration of quota system, you have to take to the street,” Hasina said.
In the face of demonstration seeking reform in the quota system, the prime minister announced in parliament in April that the quota would be scraped.
The cabinet on Wednesday approved a secretary-level committee's recommendation for abolishing of quota in class I and II jobs.
(Justnews/ys/2210hr)
