Editor's Council demanded amendment of Digital Security Act. This demand was announced at a press conference organized at the National Press Club on Saturday. Shyamal Dutta, editor of Bhorer paper, read the written statement.
The Editorial Board said that Sections 8, 21, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 43 and 53 of the Digital Security Act must be properly amended to protect freedom of press and freedom of speech. These amendments should be brought in the last session of the current parliament.
In the case of a search of a media-organization by the police or any other agency, they may be permitted to intercept only certain content, but not to shut down any computer system. However, they can withhold the content of the publication only when they can prove the rationale of why the content should be withheld after discussing with the editor of the concerned news organization.
A prior order of the High Court is required to freeze or seize any computer system of a news organization.
Media professionals must first be summoned to appear in court for offenses related to their journalistic responsibilities (as per the current law) and media professionals cannot under any circumstances be detained or arrested without a warrant and following due process of law.
A preliminary inquiry into the admissibility of prosecution of an offense committed by a media professional should be conducted by the Press Council. For this purpose the Press Council can be suitably strengthened.
The Right to Information Act passed by this government should unequivocally take precedence over the Digital Security Act. It is essential to protect the freedoms and rights guaranteed to citizens and the press in that Act.
It was informed in the press conference that the members of the editorial board will form a human chain on this demand on Monday, October 15 at 11 am.
