Digital Security Act meant to combat social ills: Hasina

Publish: 2:13 PM, October 3, 2018 | Update: 2:13 PM, October 3, 2018

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the new Digital Security Act is meant to combat the abuse of digital platforms in spreading radicalisation, terrorism and pornography that often leads to family problems.

Hasina responded to an opening question from bdnews24.com’s Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi at a media briefing at Ganabhaban in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Khalidi cited communal slur against Bangladesh cricketer Liton Das as an example to illustrate how social media networks are abused.

“We have introduced the Digital Security Act to prevent such demeaning acts,” Hasina said.

Following up on his previous question, Khalidi pointed to the spread of radicalism in Bangladesh and asked Hasina how the government would deal with the new threat.

Hasina said radicalisation is spreading in Bangladesh. “I would say that those who are following the path to radicalism have a perverse mind and have no ideology.”

Journalists should play a proactive role in creating awareness in society to stem the spread of radicalisation, Hasina said.

The journalists who are not opting for false news or wrong information should not worry about the new law, she said.

“But those who have readied write-ups against us and are waiting to publish them in phases should be concerned.”

The prime minister also said the new Digital Security Act was modelled on the Code of Criminal Procedure, or CrPC. “It’s just that only the digital devises have been included in it.”

“LAND OF CONSPIRACIES”

A vested group is hatching conspiracies in a bid to oust the government from power, said Hasina.

“Bangladesh is a breeding ground for conspiracies and experienced a number of conspiracies in different areas.”

There are people who despise the fact that Bangladesh is prospering or people are living in better conditions, Hasina said.

“We have been in power for about 10 years. What crime have we committed that we should resign, or need to be ousted?”

Hasina mentioned her administration’s contribution to socioeconomic development in Bangladesh and efforts to uproot extremism.

“Even after all these developments, there are vested quarters who want this government to go and wait for those with no strength or quality to govern the country.”

“They have repeatedly tried to fulfill their dream which resulted in 19 coups after the father of the nation was assassinated,” Hasina said.

There are people who benefit from the conspiracies and power grab, pushing the country into danger time and again, according to Hasina.

They do not have moral strength to go to the polls but are desperate to grab power, she said. “And they’ll grab power through the martial law and military or emergency rule.”

Those who want to serve their own interest have always tried to do it in a crooked way, Hasina said recalling attempts of assassination on her.

“I have never paid attention to those attempts but went on to work for the people.”