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US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has once more expressed Washington’s issues in regards to the Digital Safety Act (DSA) in Bangladesh.
Addressing a dialogue titled ‘Commemorating World Press Freedom Day 2022’ on the EMK Centre within the capital on Tuesday, the US envoy mentioned, “America has made its issues in regards to the DSA clear, each in its annual Human Proper Report and in conferences with authorities officers.”
The ambassador mentioned one cause Bangladesh scored so low is the Digital Safety Act, which the report calls “one of many world’s most draconian legal guidelines for journalists.”
He mentioned Bangladesh has been ranked 162nd out of 180 international locations, a drop of ten locations from the earlier yr, based on the newest Reporters with out Borders World Press Freedom Index.
“We’re additionally involved in regards to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Fee’s draft Regulation for Digital, Social Media and Over-the-High Platforms and draft Knowledge Safety Act,” Ambassador Haas mentioned.
“Whereas neither draft has been finalized, we concern they comprise provisions which may very well be used to additional intimidate journalists and others keen to specific themselves,” he talked about.
Haas expressed his hope that journalists can be protected against harassment and violence throughout the upcoming polls in Bangladesh.
“All of us have an obligation to guard the free press and to permit journalists to hunt and report the reality with out concern, harassment, or censorship,” he additional mentioned.
The envoy mentioned america maintained a common and equivalent coverage about elections wherever on this planet that seeks folks to decide on their very own authorities by way of free and truthful elections performed in accordance with worldwide requirements.
Haas mentioned journalism is thought to be a noble occupation however more and more, world wide, it was turning into a tough and harmful one.
“In fact, that doesn’t imply america is ideal with regards to having a free press” as the newest Reporters With out Borders World Press Freedom Index reported that america ranked forty second out of 180 international locations.
“Frankly, america must do higher.” “In Russia, journalists face grave hazard in the event that they dare to talk the reality in regards to the tragic and brutal struggle Vladimir Putin’s forces are waging in Ukraine,” he talked about.
“We should always all be thankful for the braveness that journalists show each day as a result of their function in free societies is significant. They’re the guardians of fact who educate the general public and maintain highly effective people accountable. This makes journalists key to any vibrant free society,” he remarked.
A second of silence was noticed in honor of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was tragically killed within the West Financial institution.
Former President of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul offered the keynote paper on the dialogue. Japanese ambassador ITO Naoki, Canadian Excessive Commissioner Lilly Nicholls, Deputy British Excessive Commissioner Javed Patel and The Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman additionally spoke on the event.
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN Common Meeting in 1993 following a Suggestion adopted on the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s Common Convention in 1991.
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