The Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) on Wednesday strongly condemned the reported threat by LR Global Asset Management Company to file a lawsuit against its member, journalist Niaz Mahmud, under the controversial Digital Security Act.

"We think the threat is an assault against freedom of expression," the ERF said in a release.

The release also said that the ERF believes every aggrieved person, firm, group or organization has the right to defend itself from an unlawful reporting or smear campaign.

"But we strongly protest any move to use the Digital Security Act to target a journalist."

In this connection, it mentioned that country's civil society, rights groups, journalist groups and the Editors Council have strong reservations about the DSA and have repeatedly demanded amendments to some of the key clauses of the laws.

It also said that International rights groups such as the Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ) have highlighted how the DSA has been used since its enactment in 2018 to muzzle dissent and even rightful reporting practices.

ERF in its release stated that Some rights groups even demanded repeal of the law, saying it was being used to target truth-seeking journalists.

It hoped LR Global Asset Management Company Limited will reconsider its stand and act as a responsible and morally upright business organization.

"The ERF stands against any move to silence lawful journalism by any member of the media."