The council bemoaned how it was sufficient to put journalists behind bars over reasons such as ‘tarnishing the image,’ ‘spreading rumours,’ or ‘criticising the government’. Simple criticism of lawmakers, district administrations and people in power are behind most of the recent cases,” the statement read. It considers the recent cases and arrest of journalists as clear threats to freedom of press and freedom of expression. It demanded immediate release of all journalists and withdrawal of all cases against them, condemning the frequent and indiscriminate use of DSA against the media and common citizens. The Editors' Council also asked that the Digital Security Act be repealed altogether.

Source: bd News24 May 08, 2020 15:45 UTC