Bangladesh
-
13
Dec
2019
Bangladesh: Daily Sangram Editor Arrested
Police in Dhaka, Bangladesh arrested Abul Asad, Editor of Daily Sangram on December 13 after he described an executed opposition leader convicted for war crimes as a “martyr”.
-
15
Oct
2018
Bangladeshi Media
Draft legislation to censor media which could undermines Bangladesh’s reputation or law and order was endorsed in a cabinet meeting. Under the draft Broadcasting Bill, media outlets would be punished with a maximum of seven years jail and a fine of BDT 50 mIllion (USD 588,000) for publishing such material. The legislation also includes the establishment of a broadcasting commission, which would be responsible for licences and monitoring media content. This draft bill was approved simultaneously with the draft Mass Media Employees (Services and Conditions) Bill which would establish a wage board for journalists and would reduce their weekly working hours and increase holiday time.
-
19
Sep
2018
Bangladeshi Media
Digital Security Act 2018: “Telecommunication and Information Communication minister Mustafa Jabbar placed the bill for immediate passage and the 350-member parliament passed the bill [on September 19] by voice votes with only 11 lawmakers opposing the bill. The formulation of the law was initiated in 2015 with the cabinet approving the draft on January 29, 2018 and placing in the House on April 9, 2018.” “Section 8 includes provisions about blocking or removing any information in the digital media over any content deemed hampering harmony, public order, or creating communal hatred, among other things. Section 21 states anyone ‘spreading negative propaganda against the Liberation War or the Father of the Nation, National Anthem and national flag’ using digital devices or instigating to do so would be punished with imprisonment for up to life term.
According to Section 25, a person may be jailed up to five years for ‘deliberately publishing or broadcast on a website something attacking or intimidating or which can make someone feel disgruntled or knowingly publishing or broadcasting false or distorted information. Section 28 states if anyone hurts religious sentiments, they may face jail up to 10 years. Section 29 states a person may face up to three years if they defame someone as stipulated in section 499 of the Penal Code through a website. Section 31states a person may face up to seven years in prison if they are found to have deliberately published or broadcast something on a website which can spread hatred and create enmity.
As per Section 32, if a person commits any crime or assists anyone in committing crimes under colonial era Official Secrets Act, 1923, through electronic medium, he or she may face a maximum 14 years in jail. Section 43 allows a police officer to search or arrest anyone without any arrest warrant.
Section 21, 28, 31 and 32 are classified as non-bailable offenses.”