Editors call for unity to fight DSA | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 09, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 09, 2025
Editors call for unity to fight DSA

Bangladesh

TBS Report
14 May, 2022, 10:10 pm
Last modified: 14 May, 2022, 10:13 pm

Related News

  • Saudi Arabia executes journalist over social media posts
  • 'Amended anti-terror law can significantly curtail freedom of expression': Editors' Council expresses deep concern
  • Munshiganj journalists ‘threatened’ following report on assault of minor girls aboard launch
  • Foreign journalists laud CA Yunus for leading Bangladesh interim govt successfully
  • Human chain protest demands withdrawal of ‘false case’ against Feni journo

Editors call for unity to fight DSA

TBS Report
14 May, 2022, 10:10 pm
Last modified: 14 May, 2022, 10:13 pm
Editors call for unity to fight DSA

Unity among journalists is a must to overcome challenges stemming from an increasing digital surveillance by the authorities backed by oppressive legal instruments like the Digital Security Act (DSA), said editors.

Terming DSA a "dark and uncivilised" one, the editors on Saturday told a programme in Dhaka that the act targets dissidents and journalists and threatens freedom of speech.

The Editors' Council organised the programme titled "Journalist Under Digital Seize".

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"If you write anything critical of the government or even tagged in such social media posts, you may end up in jail. It is absurd," said Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Kader Gani Chowdhury. He called for waging a united movement against the law.

Bangladesh has slipped ten notches in this year's World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. The country ranked 162nd out of 180 countries as Bangladesh's position on the index is the lowest among the South Asian countries.

Stressing on journalists' unity to improve on the press freedom index, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) President Nazrul Islam Mithu said splits among journalists are ultimately leading to the deteriorating media freedom.   

Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (Noab) president AK Azad said the entire industry has been under a strain due to DSA. "Intelligent, skilled and courageous journalists are hard to get nowadays. Our revenue has fallen too."

"We continue pressing the government to revoke the law, but to no avail. Now the journalist, media owners, business people and civil society members need to join in the chorus against the law," he added.

Editors' Council President Mahfuz Anam who presided over the event said, "Why are there too many laws against journalists? What do we do as our hands and feet need to be tied so hard?"

"DSA has caused a bar to local journalism to flourish further. There are too many non-bailable provisions in the law. In the past four years, the law was particularly used against journalists as well as the freedom of speech.

"The law goes against democracy and the spirit of the liberation war," he said, adding DSA helps the government remain out of accountability and transparency.

Citing a study, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) President M Abdullah said that 169 journalists were tortured in 2020 and 182 in next year. As many as 45 journalists were killed in the last 13 years as no trial took place for most of the cases.

A sense of impunity fuels the frequency of such abuses against journalists, he alleged.

New Age Editor Nurul Kabir said, "Journalists are barred from criticising the government, which is a deviation of the constitution. Democracy is absent in the country."  

Editors' Council Treasurer Matiur Rahman Chowdhury said DSA has introduced a culture of "self-censorship" as reporters cannot write what they actually want to write.

He called for unity to overcome the situation.

Claiming there is no freedom of speech and free press in the country, Daily Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta also emphasised journalists' unity.

Referring to several international press freedom rankings, Former BFUJ president Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul said, "Bangladesh is the most dangerous country for journalists. No trial take place here for killing or torturing a journalist." 

Top News

Digital Security Act (DSA) / Editors' Council / journalist

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Several bank audit reports contain cooked up data: BB governor
  • Workers pack undergarments at the packing section of a garment factory in Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 19, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Fatima Tuj Johora
    After US tariffs, jobs hang by a thread in Bangladesh's garments sector
  • Global Islami Bank rectifies 2023 figures, reports major loss instead of profit
    Global Islami Bank rectifies 2023 figures, reports major loss instead of profit

MOST VIEWED

  • None saw it coming: What went wrong in Bangladesh’s tariff negotiation with US 
    None saw it coming: What went wrong in Bangladesh’s tariff negotiation with US 
  • File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Bangladesh faces economic impact as US introduces 35% tariff on exports
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Bangladesh reserves above $24b even after making $2b ACU payment 
  • Electric buses for capital: Tk2,500cr to be spent in 2 years
    Electric buses for capital: Tk2,500cr to be spent in 2 years
  • Representational image. Photo: TBS
    35% US tariff to be disastrous for Bangladesh's exports, say economists and exporters
  • Clashes took place between police and protesters in Sylhet on 2 August. Photo: TBS
    Hasina authorised deadly crackdown on protesters during 2024 July uprising, BBC verifies leaked audio

Related News

  • Saudi Arabia executes journalist over social media posts
  • 'Amended anti-terror law can significantly curtail freedom of expression': Editors' Council expresses deep concern
  • Munshiganj journalists ‘threatened’ following report on assault of minor girls aboard launch
  • Foreign journalists laud CA Yunus for leading Bangladesh interim govt successfully
  • Human chain protest demands withdrawal of ‘false case’ against Feni journo

Features

Dr Mostafa Abid Khan. Sketch: TBS

Actual impact will depend on how US retailers respond: Mostafa Abid Khan

1d | Economy
Thousands gather to form Bangla Blockade in mass show of support. Photo: TBS

Rebranding rebellion: Why ‘Bangla Blockade’ struck a chord

1d | Panorama
The Mitsubishi Xpander is built with families in mind, ready to handle the daily carpool, grocery runs, weekend getaways, and everything in between. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Now made-in-Bangladesh: 2025 Mitsubishi Xpander

2d | Wheels
Students of different institutions protest demanding the reinstatement of the 2018 circular cancelling quotas in recruitment in government jobs. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

5 July 2024: Students announce class boycott amid growing protests

4d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Not only Hasina but also Awami League should be tried: Mirza Fakhrul

Not only Hasina but also Awami League should be tried: Mirza Fakhrul

1h | TBS Today
Trump considering sanctions on Russia

Trump considering sanctions on Russia

2h | TBS World
Iran receives missile shipment from China

Iran receives missile shipment from China

4h | TBS World
Will JPA be able to survive in the political arena?

Will JPA be able to survive in the political arena?

17h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net