'Journalism in BD is like swimming in a pond full of crocodiles'

 
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has again expressed Washington's concerns about the Digital Security Act (DSA) in Bangladesh.

Addressing a discussion titled 'Commemorating World Press Freedom Day 2022' at the EMK Centre in the capital on Tuesday, the US envoy said, "The United States has made its concerns about the DSA clear, both in its annual Human Right Report and in meetings with government officials."

The ambassador said one reason Bangladesh scored so low is the Digital Security Act, which the report calls "one of the world's most draconian laws for journalists."  

He said Bangladesh has been ranked 162nd out of 180 countries, a drop of ten places from the previous year, according to the most recent Reporters without Borders World Press Freedom Index.

"We are also concerned about the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission's draft Regulation for Digital, Social Media and Over-the-Top Platforms and draft Data Protection Act," Ambassador Haas said.

"While neither draft has been finalized, we fear they contain provisions which could be used to further intimidate journalists and others eager to express themselves," he mentioned. 

Haas expressed his hope that journalists would be protected from harassment and violence during the upcoming polls in Bangladesh.

"We all have an obligation to protect the free press and to allow journalists to seek and report the truth without fear, harassment, or censorship," he further said.

The envoy said the United States maintained a universal and identical policy about elections anywhere in the world that seeks people to choose their own government through free and fair elections conducted in accordance with international standards.

Haas said journalism is regarded as a noble profession but increasingly, around the world, it was becoming a difficult and dangerous one.

"Of course, that does not mean the United States is perfect when it comes to having a free press" as the most recent Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index reported that the United States ranked 42nd out of 180 countries.

"Frankly, the United States needs to do better." "In Russia, journalists face grave danger if they dare to speak the truth about the tragic and brutal war Vladimir Putin's forces are waging in Ukraine," he mentioned.  

"We should all be grateful for the courage that journalists display every day because their role in free societies is vital.  They are the guardians of truth who educate the public and hold powerful individuals accountable.  This makes journalists key to any vibrant free society," he remarked. 

A moment of silence was observed in honor of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was tragically killed in the West Bank.

Former President of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul presented the keynote paper at the discussion. Japanese ambassador ITO Naoki, Canadian High Commissioner Lilly Nicholls, Deputy British High Commissioner Javed Patel and The Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.

World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991.

Every year, May 3rd is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.