Cyber Security Law Will Be Finalised Only After Talks With All Sides: State Minister for Information

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Iaser Khan Chowdhury has said the cyber security law is extremely sensitive. The government wants the law to be able to genuinely protect everyone, and therefore wants to take it to its final stage only after discussions with all concerned parties are complete.

He made the remarks on Thursday (5 November) at a discussion meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Photo Journalist Association (BPJA) in the meeting room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Iaser Khan Chowdhury said consultations and discussions on the law with people from various classes and professions are ongoing, and that the government does not want to rush until the process of receiving everyone's opinions is finished.

At the start of the meeting, in response to a journalist's question about the recent movement in the garment industry, the state minister said the founder of the garments industry was Shaheed Ziaur Rahman. For that reason, he said, the BNP's affection for the industry is the greatest, and the party has always been sincere about the development and progress of an industry that contributes importantly to the country's economy, employment and export earnings.

The state minister said the government is sincere about garment workers' demands, and that a committee was formed and work began in the quickest possible time.

Iaser Khan Chowdhury said the government will work to ensure proper recognition and dignity for the courageous role of photojournalists in the country's democratic movements and struggles, including the July mass uprising.

He said those who played a role in movements to establish democracy and people's rights, especially those who worked at risk during the July mass uprising, need to be properly evaluated, and that this is not only a matter of financial assistance but of recognition, honour and dignity for their contribution.

The state minister listened attentively to the BPJA leaders' various demands and problems and assured them of solutions. On the organisation's long-standing office problem, he said ensuring a permanent address for the BPJA will be considered with importance.

He also assured the leaders that the actual condition and legal issues concerning the building or place where complications currently exist will be examined.

At the meeting, BPJA President A K M Mohsin raised photojournalists' various problems and demands. He said a large section of photojournalists have performed their duties over the past 15 years amid various adversities, torture and professional obstacles, and have taken news photographs at risk to their lives from the democratic movement through to the July mass uprising.

A K M Mohsin said photojournalism is not only a profession but a means of preserving important documents of the country's history and democratic movements. He said photographs taken by photojournalists bear witness to every important moment of movements and struggles, and that during the July mass uprising in particular they played an important role in shaping public opinion at home and abroad by working in adverse conditions.

BPJA General Secretary Babul Talukdar said photojournalists have played an important role in democratic movements and struggles over the past decade and a half. Despite torture, attacks, cases and various adversities, they stayed on the streets taking news photographs, and their pictures presented the real picture of the movements to the people of the country as well as to the international community, he said.

Others who spoke at the meeting included Nuruddin Ahmed, ABM Rafiqur Rahman, Nasim Sikder and Delwar Hossain Badal. Members of the BPJA executive committee were present at the time.