Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said the government considers a proposal requiring prior court approval before any journalist is arrested or action taken against them under the amended Cyber Security Act as appropriate and reasonable.

He made the remarks after a meeting at the Secretariat with editors and representatives of print, electronic and online media.

Ahmed said views were being sought from stakeholders and experts to ensure the amended law does not become repressive or be misused. The law is not aimed at targeting the media, he said, and the government is “alert to ensuring no journalist is unjustly harmed or victimised”.

After the draft amendment was discussed in cabinet, the government decided to seek views from all sections of society. The draft was published on a website and opinions were compiled from citizens, human rights organisations, students and IT experts, alongside continuing consultations with editors and representatives of print, electronic and online media.

Ahmed said an expert panel of media and cyber specialists would be formed to review the opinions. The process will be run by representatives of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Editors’ Council, and electronic media associations, with the Principal Information Officer serving as focal point.

The panel will submit specific recommendations within the next 7 to 15 days, he said. A specific time limit has been set for appeal disposal so that no one is left in legal limbo indefinitely.

The draft will be published on the website again before being sent to cabinet, with the proposed recommendations incorporated. If cabinet approves, it will be placed before Parliament.

The law will be refined based on detailed discussion by the opposition and government parties in Parliament and on views from seminars and symposiums outside Parliament, Ahmed said. “It will not be passed in haste.”

He said the main objectives of the law are to prevent the spread of crime using cyberspace, protect the youth, and maintain family and social harmony. The final law will be framed in keeping with domestic culture and international standards.