The interim government of Bangladesh has warned all print, electronic and online media organizations to avoid reporting statements issued by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing concerns over national security and public order.
The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) in a press release issued on Monday claimed that Hasina’s statements may contain instructions or calls that are capable of inciting “violence, disorder and criminal activities” and disturbing social harmony, the Daily Star newspaper reported.
“We urge the media to act responsibly in the interest of national security,” the release said. The agency said it is “deeply concerned” that some media organizations are broadcasting and publishing statements in the name of “convict” and “fugitive” Hasina.
Noting that displaying or publishing statements of both convicted and fugitives is a violation of the Cyber Security Ordinance, the agency warned that authorities have the right to “remove or block content that poses a threat to the unity, security or public order of the country, promotes ethnic or religious hatred, or directly incites violence”.
It further said that using false identity or illegally accessing the system to send hate speech, racial incitement or calls for violence is a punishable offense punishable with imprisonment of up to two years and/or a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Emphasizing that it respects freedom of the press and speech,NCSA asked media houses to “not” print any “violent, inflammatory or criminally incendiary” statements by the convicted people and “take care of their legal responsibilities”.
Hasina, 78, was on Monday sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). This punishment was given for “crime against humanity”. This punishment was given for his government’s brutal action on student protests last year.
It had also awarded death sentence to former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on similar charges.
Hasina has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh following massive protests on August 5 last year. The court had earlier declared him a fugitive.
Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus praised the verdict, saying it reaffirmed a fundamental principle that “no one, no matter how much power he holds, is above the law”.
Commenting on the verdict, Hasina described the charges as “biased and politically motivated” and said the verdict was handed down by a “rigged tribunal” that was created and headed “without an elected government and without a democratic mandate”.
