The government is exercising utmost caution so that the proposed Cyber Security (Amendment) Act does not become an oppressive law and that no journalist or media outlet is victimised under it, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday.
The proposed law would be finalised only after extensive consultations with stakeholders and consideration of their recommendations, he said at a press briefing at Secretariat following a consultation meeting with representatives of print and electronic media at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
“Our primary objective is to ensure that no journalist falls victim to the misuse of this law,” he said.
The Home Minister said the draft amendment bill was earlier laced before the Cabinet which directed the authorities to hold extensive discussions with IT experts and other stakeholders involved in cyberspace.
Then the government published the draft on its website to seek opinions from people from all walks of life, he said adding that feedback has already been received from various institutions, human rights organisations, students and cyberspace users.
Monday’s meeting was the government’s second consultation with editors, senior journalists, newspaper organisations and representatives of professional journalists’ associations.
At the first meeting on September 10, editors were requested to submit their views in writing or through the website.
The minister said many participants presented their views at Monday’s meeting and pledged to submit written recommendations.
He said a proposal came to hold detailed discussions between media and cyber experts to ensure that the media is not harmed or victimised and that necessary safeguards are incorporated into the law.
“The government has gladly accepted the proposal,” Salahuddin said, adding that the government has no intention of enacting the law to target the media.
Regarding safeguards for journalists in print, electronic and online media, the minister said a proposal was made to make prior court approval mandatory before taking action against or arresting a journalist.
He said the government considered the proposal appropriate and logical.
Stakeholders will be given another 15 days to submit formal recommendations which will then be considered for inclusion in the draft, he said.
A provision setting a specific timeframe for the disposal of cases or appeals will also be considered to prevent people from remaining in legal uncertainty for an indefinite period, the minister added.
Salahuddin said a special coordination mechanism would be formed to help finalise the draft.
The Principal Information Officer will serve as the focal point, while the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will jointly coordinate the process.
Representatives of the Editors’ Council, Electronic Media Association and a panel of cyber experts formed by the IT ministry will participate in the process and are expected to submit recommendations within 7 to 15 days, said the minister.
The revised draft will then be published on the government website again for further public feedback before being placed before the Cabinet, the minister added.
If the recommendations are accepted they will be incorporated into the draft before an inter-ministerial review and submission to the Cabinet.
After Cabinet approval, the bill will be placed before Parliament where it will undergo further deliberation involving members of both the ruling and opposition parties as well as views emerging from seminars and symposiums outside Parliament.
Salahuddin said the main objective of the proposed law is to establish a balanced legal framework to protect the country, society and young people from cybercrimes and other criminal activities.
The act is also intended to comply with international standards while protecting social and religious harmony, family values and indigenous culture, he said.