Bangladesh’s National Cyber Security Agency has urged news outlets to refrain from broadcasting statements made by convicted and fugitive individuals, warning that such content could pose risks to national security and public stability.
In a government statement issued Monday night, the agency noted that several print, electronic, and online platforms recently aired comments by Sheikh Hasina, a convicted and fugitive defendant. According to the agency, some of the statements contained calls or encouragement for violence, disorder, and criminal activities.
The statement cited the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025, which permits law enforcement to remove or block digital content that threatens national integrity, public order, or spreads ethnic or religious hatred. The law also criminalizes the dissemination of inflammatory or violence-inciting speech, with penalties of up to two years in prison or fines reaching one million taka.
While affirming its respect for journalistic freedom, the agency urged media outlets to avoid airing such statements from convicted individuals, emphasizing that they may escalate tension or incite unrest. The statement also reminded journalists to consider potential legal liabilities.