Proposed cyber law threatens free speech in Bangladesh, says anti-corruption watchdog

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has warned that the proposed Cyber Protection Act could undermine freedom of expression, harm the media and ultimately backfire on the government.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion organized by TIB in Dhaka, executive director Iftekharuzzaman urged the government to reconsider the legislation.

“If the law is enacted in the way it is currently being proposed, it will be harmful to the country, the people, the media, and freedom of speech,” he said in Bangla.

Iftekharuzzaman described the proposed legislation as a “boomerang” for the government, warning that proceeding with it would be “suicidal.”

Participants called for removing provisions concerning defamation and indemnity and clarifying whether journalists would be exempt from the law.

Speakers also urged greater accountability for social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, arguing that legislation alone cannot effectively combat misinformation and disinformation.