Those charged with defamation will be penalised with a fine and will not have to serve time in jail under the Cyber Security Act that was approved in principle by the Cabinet today, Law Minister Anisul Huq said.
Following the Cabinet meeting, he told that the government decided to transform and modernise the Digital Security Act (DSA) and change its name to Cyber Security Act.
He said the government has decided to amend many sections with the intention to stop the misuse and abuse of the controversial DSA.
"Mainly, we have reduced the penal provisions, the punishments, and we have got rid of penal punishment of defamation. Now, you will not be jailed for defamation. Now, for defamation there will a punishment of fine. We have brought it [the change] in alignment of the civil remedy," he said..
In a press briefing later, he said the only penalty for defamation under the Cyber Security Act is a fine. "But if the fine is not paid, there will of course be jail time of three ro six months, depending on the fine. But the main penalty is a fine."
About the change to the DSA, which has come under criticism as a law that stifles freedom of speech and expression since it was enacted in 2018, Anisul Huq told The Daily Star, "As it is Sheikh Hasina's government, it is a listening government. Therefore, we have decided to modernise and also stop the misuse and abuse of the Digital Security Act, and with that intention we have transformed the act and changed its name to Cyber Security Act."
