DHAKA, April 6, 2023 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the size of BNP alliance shrinks and enlarges like an amoeba and it the reason behind the conflict among them. 

"As the amoeba's shape sometimes become bigger and smaller too, BNP alliance is like so. As Amoeba can divide itself into two and four, BNP's alliance is just like that. It is observed that the 22-party alliance becomes a 12-party alliance and after a few days it is heard that it is a 54-party alliance," he said.

The minister said this replying to a question from journalists regarding the failure of BNP alliance to announce a unified declaration with alliance-members after a meeting with Crime Reporters' Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) leaders at the conference room of the ministry in the Secretariat here.

CRAB President Mirza Mehedi Tamal, General Secretary Mamunur Rashid and other executive members were present at the meeting. 

Dr Hasan, also Awami League (AL) joint general secretary, said, "All including leftist-rightist and extreme leftist-rightist are in the BNP. It's a tough job to give a declaration uniting all of them".

However, there are several fractions in the BNP-chairperson group, acting chairperson group, Mirza Fakhrul group and reformer group- it is difficult to unit all these groups, he added.

Replying to another question regarding Digital Security Act, the information minister said this act has been enacted to ensure digital security of all people of the country.

"Our act is much flexible then the American law. The American law of 2015 for digital offence was amended in 2022 with a provision of 20 years imprisonment as the highest punishment. But there is no such long time imprisonment in our law," Dr Hasan said, adding that if someone dies because of digital crime, the punishment for that crime is life imprisonment.

Noting that the European Union has also made a new digital security law in 2022 and almost all countries have such laws, the information minister said, "The digital security laws of Australia, Singapore and Continental Europe are also tougher than ours". 

So, there is no question of repealing this act, he said, adding, however, attention must be paid to ensure that no one, including the journalists, is harassed due to this act.

"Many steps have already been taken. The law ministry is looking at what more effective measures can be taken. We are working with them," the information minister said. 

Earlier, in his speech at the meeting with CRAB leaders, Dr Hasan said crime reporting is very important. 

"Journalists' write ups make it easier for the state and society to take action against crime. Criminals threaten many people, it is not acceptable. If journalists work with courage, I think the society as well as the state will benefit," he added.

But, it should always be considered so that no innocent person becomes victim of reporting, the AL joint general secretary said, adding, "It is observed sometimes that a report was published against such a person, who actually is not criminal. So, be careful about this," Dr Hasan said.

Mentioning that training is essential for crime reporters, he said Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) can provide training in this regard. 

"The government of Sheikh Hasina is always working for the welfare of journalists and I, as the minister of this ministry, must take care of you so that you don't have to face any unnecessary harassment and I try to help as much as possible," the information minister added.

CRAB Vice President Mizanur Rahman, Joint Secretary Rudro Mizan, Finance Secretary Md Emdadul Haque Khan, Organizing Secretary Bakul Ahmed, Office Secretary Kamal Hossain Talukder, Publicity and Publications Secretary SM Fayez, Sports and Cultural Secretary Md Abu Zafar, Training and Information Technology Secretary Ismail Hossain Imu, Welfare Secretary Wasim Siddiqui, International Affairs Secretary Md Tanvir Hasan, executive members Abdullah Al Mamun, Jasim Uddin and Enamul Kabir Rupom joined the meeting, among others.