Two university students have made Bangladesh the first Asian country to win the World Universities Debating Championships. Will this stunning rhetorical feat spark the spirit of debate in our society?

Essentially, if someone expresses a critical view of the achievement of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, or the country’s relationship with another nation in a Facebook status, or even in a private message between friends on WhatsApp, that individual could be subjected to criminal punishment under the DSA, intrusive surveillance under the data protection law, or censorship under the digital, social media and OTT platform regulations. 

Nineteen eminent citizens today (April 25, 2022) protested the detention of Syeda Ratna, a community leader trying to save the Tentultala playground and her 17-year-old son.

Some of us may breathe a sigh of relief that Hriday Mondal, imprisoned for 19 days and denied bail twice, for trying to explain the difference between science and religion to his students, has been granted bail.

It is one of the biggest paradoxes of present time — the contradiction of having the most remarkable advancements in technology with the most regressive developments in human civilisation.

Law Minister Anisul Huq says that a subsection will be included in the proposed digital security act if it is necessary for removing confusion over the freedom of expression.

Bangladesh is “party free” in terms of using internet, according to the latest report of Freedom House.

Marking 2016 a repressive year for press freedom in Bangladesh, London-based ARTICLE 19, an NGO defending freedom of expression, says 320 violations, including murders, abductions and threats against journalists, took place within that period.

The draft Digital Security Act 2016, intended to address the need for cyber-crime legislation, according to the authorities, was approved on August 22, 2016, by the Cabinet. But members of civil society, media and activists have already expressed their concerns over the draft law impinging upon people's freedom of expression.

Expressing concern over the “worsening” state of freedom of expression in Bangladesh, the International Publishers Association (IPA)

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia alleges that the government has continued its repression on journalists and threats to the media.

Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu says both newspapers and electronic media are now enjoying “full freedom” under the Sheikh Hasina-led present government.

A number of international groups working on press freedom and freedom of expression urge urgent and concrete steps by the United Nations (UN) to reverse the deteriorating climate for free expression in Bangladesh.

Human rights activist Sultana Kamal today observed that people are afraid to talk.

Last week, Freedom House, an independent watchdog organisation that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom...

Freedom of expression and a vibrant strong democracy go hand in hand. A free press contributes to a stronger society and

Bangladesh has moved two notches up to 144th position among 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index-2016 prepared by Reporters Sans Frontières. But the Paris-based advocacy group voices serious concern over the state of freedom of expression in Bangladesh.

The United States has said the government of Bangladesh took 'limited measures' to investigate and prosecute cases of abuse and killing by security forces. The US, in its 2015 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, claimed authorities failed at times to maintain effective control over security forces.

High Court stays for three months the proceedings of 72 cases against The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam. The court also issues a rule upon the authorities concerned to explain as to why the initiation and continuation of the cases should not be declared illegal. The rule is returnable in three weeks, the court says.

The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam has secured bail in a Tk 50-crore defamation case in Faridpur.