Don’t tie our hands again

Newspapers Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) President and Manabzamin Editor-in-Chief Matiur Rahman Chowdhury has warned the government against introducing laws that could restrict criticism of those in power, saying political leaders who seek to silence critics often become victims of injustice after losing power.

“Please do not tie our hands again. It will be to your own detriment. If you tie our hands, I will no longer be able to write for you. One day, you will have to come back to us,” he said at a roundtable discussion on the proposed Cyber Security (Amendment) Act at the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, on Sunday. 

A total of 19 organisations, including TIB, BRAC, the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) and Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, organised the discussion. 

Matiur Rahman said no government could remain in power forever and urged policymakers to consider the long-term implications of legislation before enacting laws that could restrict freedom of expression.

He acknowledged the need for legislation to combat cybercrime but stressed that criticism of the government must be clearly distinguished from cyber offences.

“Criticism of the government is inevitable, and it is perfectly normal in a democratic society. If these two are not kept separate, the risks will remain,” he said.

The NOAB president also questioned a provision in the proposed law that could allow newspapers or online news outlets to be shut down over offences committed by individuals.

Expressing concern about the potential misuse of the legislation, he warned that political influence could undermine its enforcement. He said there was a risk that arrests could be made at the behest of ruling party leaders at the local level.

He also sought clarity on the definition of “misinformation” in the proposed law, warning that reports could be labelled false or defamatory simply because they were unwelcome to certain individuals or authorities.

He questioned who would determine whether information had been deliberately falsified and called for clear definitions and safeguards to prevent arbitrary interpretation.

Matiur Rahman further opposed granting mobile courts the authority to try journalists, arguing that such powers would be incompatible with democratic principles. “You are giving the court that is used to catch people producing adulterated medicines the authority to try journalists. How can this even be contemplated in a democratic society?” he asked.

The roundtable was moderated by TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman. Among others, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Md Shahidul Islam, Daily Wada Editor Shafiqul Alam, Online Editors Forum Convener Sharifuzzaman Pintu and Tech Global Institute Bangladesh Head Fouzia Afroz.