DHAKA, September 15, 2026 — The Bangladesh government must immediately withdraw vague and anti-free-expression proposed amendments to the Cyber Security Act 2026 and enact a legal framework that supports an independent, accountable media, Bangladesh Media Monitor (BDMM) said in a statement.
BDMM expressed deep concern over the proposed amendments recently published on the website of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division. The organization warned that if implemented, the provisions could severely restrict independent journalism, freedom of expression, and civil liberties, reviving the restrictive environment experienced under the now-repealed Digital Security Act (DSA).
The statement was published on BDMM’s social media handles in both Bangla and English on Tuesday.
According to BDMM’s review and multiple media reports (1, 2), proposed Section 26A criminalizes the publication or dissemination of “unverified” information as “rumor,” imposing a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of Tk 4 million, or both. The proposed section lacks a clear requirement to establish intent or mental state to mislead, creating a severe risk that journalists publishing public-interest reporting could be treated as criminals before information is fully verified.
Additionally, the draft introduces up to five years’ imprisonment and a Tk 2 million fine for digital defamation — penalties harsher than those under the repealed DSA. The amendments incorporate broad terms such as “humiliation” and “bullying” and extend coverage to artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content, while failing to provide explicit legal protections for investigative reporting, public-interest criticism, or truthful disclosures.
BDMM also highlighted troubling provisions regarding content removal, which grant powers not only to law enforcement but also to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other government-designated agencies. This allows authorities to block content based on mere suspicion. Furthermore, the draft removes the previous legal requirement to obtain tribunal approval within three days of blocking content and eliminates the mandate to make a list of blocked content public, significantly weakening judicial oversight and accountability.
Other stringent proposals include legal immunity for officers of the National Cyber Security Council acting in “good faith,” authority for mobile courts to penalize content and defamation offenses, and powers to suspend operations or cancel the licenses and registrations of media organizations.
BDMM emphasized that suppressing press freedom under the guise of digital security contradicts international human rights standards and democratic values. The organization strongly urged the government to drop these restrictive draft provisions immediately and foster an environment friendly to free and independent journalism.