The current laws governing press freedom have their roots in the colonial era, as we continue to uphold the Penal Code of 1860 and its addition, the sedition law.
Though the country’s constitution guarantees freedom of press and expression, some British-era and post-independence acts, which had a colonial legacy, are still being used to control public, said speakers at a roundtable yesterday.
In the absence of a policy to act as a deterrent, ragging goes on unchecked at some public universities, as the authorities concerned seem indifferent to the need for curbing the menace.
Eminent economist Prof Anu Mohammad yesterday said that the Digital Security Act (DSA) is serving as an indemnity to protect those who want to put Bangladesh in jeopardy.