DHAKA: The parliament has passed the Digital Security Act 2018 keeping the much criticized Section 32 amid concerns and objections from journalist community and other rights bodies.

The bill was passed by MPs in voice vote after Post, Telecommunication and IT Minister Mustafa Jabbar placed it before parliament on Wednesday (Sep 19).

Concerned people in media and human rights organizations have been criticizing different sections of the Act fearing obstruction of press freedom.

However, members of the opposition party proposed to send the bill into public opinion verification and selection committee before passing it. The proposal was cancelled by voice vote.

BDST: 2130 HRS, SEP 19, 2018
AP/SMS