NAN
Bangladesh President, Abdul Hamid, on Monday gave his assent to a controversial new law that local media organisations fear could cripple press freedom and curb free speech in the country.
“The President has given his assent to the Digital Security Act today making it law,” Joynal Abedin, Chief Press Secretary to the president said.
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The South Asian nation’s parliament passed the Digital Security Act on Sept. 19, combining the colonial-era Official Secrets Act with tough new provisions such as allowing the Police to arrest individuals without a warrant.
In September, protests by local media groups against the new legislation were cancelled after the government held talks with them and promised to amend the legislation to address some of their concerns.