The worst part in the academy's attempt to clear the air is the admission in its statement that it had not read the alleged offending book before deciding to exclude its publisher from the exhibition.

We should be concerned about the deployment of surveillance tech without any judicial oversight

The panel spoke broadly about censorship, #MeToo movement, mob mentality, cancel culture, JK Rowling, and social media echo chambers. 

The political culture that has been bred in the country by the ruling party is one of impunity, where party members are, directly or indirectly, encouraged to violently suppress dissenting voices. The slapping of Inamul Haque is merely a result of that attitude.

Why would the world’s richest man want to undermine the legitimacy of democracy itself?

Writers of both fiction and non-fiction have come under increasing pressure and censorship across South Asia. To discuss these issues, the fifth ULAB Lit Salon brings together a diverse group of experts drawn from policy and its practice, publishing, and media.

The draconian Digital Security Act (DSA) strikes again, and most worryingly, in collusion with communal bigotry.

What is of serious concern for us is the secrecy with which the Press Council has dealt with the matter.

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. 

I channelled my hurt, anger and frustration into poetry and flash fiction that had nothing to do with my agitator and her cronies.

The government’s draft regulation for digital, social media and OTT platforms will be a threat to freedom of speech and people’s basic rights, experts said yesterday.

The government’s draft regulation for digital, social media and OTT platforms will be a threat to freedom of speech and curb people’s basic rights, experts said today.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) calls on Pakistani authorities to immediately release and drop all legal proceedings against Rizwan-ur-Rehman Razi, a TV host for Din News, a privately-owned Urdu-language news station in Lahore.

It is regrettable that the Digital Security Bill has been enacted into law in spite of the objections from all concerned. The bill effectively curtails the freedom of speech and thus the very fundamentals on which democracy is built. If a law is meant to deliver greater good to the greater mass then the new Act, we are afraid, cannot pass the test.

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.

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

Terming political situation in Bangladesh worrying, members of the European Parliament (EP) called for dialogue between democratic parties of the country to reach a political consensus, and for greater respect for freedom of speech.

A prominent Pakistani journalist and human rights activist, Khurram Zaki, is shot dead in Karachi.

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

Amnesty International today urges the Bangladesh authorities to ensure protection of activists and writers who are under threat.