Digital Security Act: Editors’ Council to form human chain Oct 15

The Sampadak Parishad (Editors’ Council) will form a human chain on Monday (October 15) protesting enactment of the Digital Security Act 2018.

The council will form the human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club demanding changes in nine sections — 8, 21, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 43 and 5 — of the Digital Security Act.

During the briefing at the press club, the council members said the nine sections “seriously harm the cause of independent journalism and freedom of expression”.

The Parishad, a platform of the editors of the country’s national dailies, raises seven-point demands including appropriately amending the nine sections to safeguard freedom of the media and freedom of speech.

The other demands include the amendment should be brought in the next session present parliament scheduled to sit on October 21.

Shyamol Datta, editor of Bhorer Kagoj and also a member of the Editors’ Council, read out of a written statement at the briefing and also announced the human chain programme.

Sixteen editors of different national dailies including Mahfuz Anam, The Daily Star editor and publisher and general secretary of the council, were present at the briefing.

Earlier, the editors postponed a human chain programme, which was scheduled to be held on September 29, upon request from Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu.

The minister had issued a letter to the council requesting postponement of the human chain and proposing discussions following which the postponement came.