Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman Shams sued under Digital Security Act

Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman Shams was recently sued under the Digital Security Act, sparking outrage among journalists and free speech advocates in Bangladesh. Shams is known for his critical reporting on government corruption and human rights abuses.





The case against Shams was filed on March 21 by a member of the ruling party’s student wing, who alleged that the journalist had spread false and defamatory information on Facebook about the party’s leaders. The plaintiff, who is also a lawyer, claimed that Shams had violated the Digital Security Act, a controversial law passed in 2018 that has been widely criticized for its potential to stifle free speech.

Shams, who is based in the northern city of Rajshahi, has denied the allegations against him and said that he was being targeted for his reporting. In an interview with Prothom Alo, he said, “I have never spread any false or defamatory information. My work is to report on the truth. I believe that I am being harassed for my critical reporting on government officials.”

The case against Shams has sparked a wave of protests among journalists and human rights activists in Bangladesh, who say that it is part of a broader crackdown on press freedom in the country. In recent years, several journalists have been arrested or detained under the Digital Security Act, and many others have faced harassment and intimidation from the government.

The case has also drawn international attention, with several media watchdogs calling on the Bangladeshi government to drop the charges against Shams and reform the Digital Security Act. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said in a statement, “We urge Bangladeshi authorities to drop all charges against Samsuzzaman Shams and to amend the Digital Security Act to ensure that it is not used to intimidate or harass journalists.”

The Bangladesh Centre for Development Journalism and Communication (BCDJC), a local media rights group, has also condemned the case against Shams. In a statement, the organization said, “We are deeply concerned about the ongoing trend of using the Digital Security Act to silence critical voices and stifle freedom of expression. We call on the government to immediately drop the charges against Samsuzzaman Shams and ensure that journalists are free to report on issues of public interest without fear of reprisal.”

Despite the backlash, the Bangladeshi government has defended the Digital Security Act as necessary for maintaining law and order in the country. In a recent statement, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, “The Digital Security Act was enacted to prevent cybercrime and ensure security in the digital world. It is not intended to stifle free speech or target journalists.”

Shams, meanwhile, has vowed to continue his reporting despite the legal challenges he is facing. “I will not be silenced,” he said. “I will continue to report on the truth, no matter what the consequences may be.”

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