Government is aware of freedom of speech and personal protection: Home Minister

He said these things at a courtesy meeting with a delegation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) at the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Secretariat on Sunday.

The Home Minister said constructive criticism and character assassination for political purposes are not the same. Noting that young people and political activists are being subjected to cyberbullying and organized disinformation, he spoke of the need for consensus policies and legal protection for the government and opposition parties in this regard.

He said that for the past two months, opinions have been taken from the international community, the media, senior editors, and civil society to revise the proposed Cyber Protection (Amendment) Act. The aim of the law will be to ensure decency in the digital sphere, protect women and youth from cyberbullying, and ensure the professional safety of journalists.

Officials concerned, including Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed and Joint Secretary Rebeka Khan, were present at the meeting.