AB Razzak

The government has emphasized refining and finalising the draft Cyber Security (Amendment) Act 2026 by according the highest priority to the views of journalists and media representatives, ensuring the legislation cannot be weaponized to harass journalists, news outlets, or independent media.

The matter was discussed extensively on Wednesday during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee formed to review and finalise the draft legislation, held at the conference room of the Posts and Telecommunications Division.

Presided over by Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam, the session was attended by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam. The committee analyzed feedback from diverse stakeholders, recommendations from journalists, and observations from relevant ministries and state agencies.

To protect journalists and media institutions, consensus was reached in principle regarding a proposed provision requiring prior authorization from a competent court before arresting any journalist, media owner, or responsible media personnel over published or broadcast news. The committee highlighted the necessity of maintaining strict legal procedures and preventing harassment during any legal action involving press members.

Discussions also focused on restructuring relevant clauses to handle defamation, disparagement, and cyberbullying separately, alongside refining the legal definition of cyberspace. The meeting underscored the need to align the definition and penal structure of defamation with the Penal Code and urged clearer formulations of terms like rumor and misinformation to prevent vague or overbroad interpretations that could infringe upon press freedom.

Furthermore, the committee deliberated on excluding mobile court provisions from the Act, notifying affected individuals or entities prior to content removal or blocking, and instituting fixed timeframes for resolving appeals against content blocks. Proposals were also considered to mandate written notices and opportunities for self-defence before taking action against any news media organization.

The structural framework of the Cyber Security Council, media representation, and consultation with international stakeholders were also discussed. Attendees emphasized coordinating discussions with development partners, including the United Nations, as well as global technology platforms such as Meta.

The committee resolved to publish the revised draft on official websites following further refinements based on stakeholder input, allowing public feedback to make the legislation more effective and modern. Speakers noted that the Cyber Security Act must maintain a balance between preventing cybercrime and safeguarding civil rights, freedom of expression, and press freedom.

The National Cyber Security Agency delivered a presentation during the meeting, which was attended by senior officials from concerned ministries and departments.