Cyber Security Act won’t be used to gag media: Information minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho has said the Cyber Security Law will be drafted in such a way that it cannot be used in the future to suppress the voice of the media or anyone else. He noted there is prior experience of laws, including the previous Digital Security Act, being used to curtail media freedom, and said the government is being careful to ensure the new law leaves no room for such misuse. He made these remarks to journalists yesterday after a review meeting on the draft “Cyber Security (Amendment) Act, 2026,” held at the Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat. Stakeholders from print and electronic media took part in the review meeting.

Mr. Andaleeve Rahman said that drafting of and discussion on the Cyber Security Law are still ongoing. Some words could carry dual meanings, so they are working carefully to ensure no word or clause creates room for interpretation that could lead to misuse of the law in the future.

The Information Minister said that over the past 17 years, they have seen certain laws, including the Digital Security Act, used to suppress or intimidate the media or newspapers. He said the current government will enact the Cyber Security Law with this history in mind. One of the government’s key objectives is to curb disorder on social media, preserve social harmony, and prevent morally degrading content in public spaces, but he stressed that no law is being or will be made with the intent of suppressing free thought, media freedom, or journalists.

The Minister said that indecent abuse, cyberbullying, and vulgar content being spread on various online and social media platforms in the name of freedom of speech are damaging social values and ethics. He said their main task is to prevent this social degradation while also protecting media freedom, and that discussions are ongoing with stakeholders on how to reconcile these two objectives without conflict.

The Minister said protection from cyber crime is not possible through law enforcement alone; alongside enforcement, emphasis must also be placed on social awareness, since strict laws alone cannot suppress all crime. He said the government will undertake special programs to raise public awareness that sharing defamatory information or posts on cyberspace without verifying their authenticity also constitutes a crime.

Earlier, in his opening remarks at the morning review meeting, Information Minister Andaleeve Rahman said that before finalizing the Cyber Security Amendment Act, direct dialogue and consultation with the media is essential in the interest of protecting information disclosure, independent journalism, and freedom of expression. He said that is why they are holding discussions with media stakeholders, adding that journalists know best how the language of a law functions on the ground and where ambiguities may arise. He said cyber security and media freedom in a democratic state are not conflicting goals but should complement each other.

Reassuring media editors, the Minister said they are not amending this law with any dishonest intent, and that print media has no reason to be concerned. He invited them to freely point out any ambiguity or complexity in the law, assuring that such feedback would be given due consideration.

Taking part in the meeting, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said amending the Cyber Security Law is necessary to maintain social balance, and that the government is taking necessary steps to ensure the law is not misused. He said the level of cyber crime has risen alarmingly worldwide, with cyber space now accounting for 44% of total crime in many countries. He said there is no alternative to an up-to-date law in Bangladesh as well to prevent crimes such as online fraud, sextortion, blackmailing of women, and the destruction of social and religious harmony. However, he noted the Prime Minister has given clear instructions that the law be refined through consultation with stakeholders so that it does not create any misuse or controversy.