Proposals of Editors' Council, BFUJ to amend Digital Security Act logical: Anisul

FT ONLINE

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq on Monday said the proposals made by Editor's Council and Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists' (BFUJ) to amend a couple of sections of Digital Security Act are logical.

"Their proposals are very logical. But things will get clearer after hearing the statements of parliamentary committee. There is a possibility of amendment, correction or improvement of those concerned sections. So it is very important to hold discussion regarding this at parliamentary committee," he said.

The minister came up with the observations while talking to newsmen after holding discussion with leaders of BFUJ at his secretariat office in the capital.

Led by its President Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, BFUJ secretary general Omar Faruque, treasurer Madhusudan Mondal and executive member Syed Ishtiaque Reza called on the minister at his office.

The journalist leaders submitted a written proposal to amend a couple of sections of the proposed act with ten observations regarding this.

"The present government firmly believes in freedom of media and speech which were provided by our constitution. So it will do whatever it takes to remove anything from the act that can hinder freedom of media and speech.

A decision has been taken yesterday that a meeting will be held in late May between concerned parliamentary committee, Editor's Council, BFUJ and Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO)," the law minister added.

Senior Secretary Mohammad Shahidul Haque of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division was also present at the meeting, among others.