Politics
Editors seek court oversight before cyberlaw action against journalists
The Editors’ Council has proposed 12 cyberlaw safeguards, including court approval before journalists face arrest, searches or surveillance over their work. It also seeks source protection, bailable offences and judicial review of content blocking. The recommendations have been submitted for the information minister’s consideration.
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From 19 October 2026 — Daily Brief
19 OCT 2026 · 9/25
The Editors’ Council has called for prior court approval before journalists can be arrested, searched or placed under surveillance over their professional work under proposed cyberlaw amendments.
In a statement on 18 October, the council set out 12 recommendations for the proposed Cyber Protection (Amendment) Act 2026. It submitted them to Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad for the information and broadcasting minister.
The proposals would require judicial permission for the seizure of journalists’ devices and access to their data. Emergency action would have to be reviewed by a court within 48 hours, and relevant offences should be bailable.
The council also sought protection for confidential sources and clearer definitions of offences involving online content. Public-interest reporting, political criticism, satire, cartoons and unintentional mistakes should not automatically be treated as crimes, it said.
For content blocking, it requested written reasons, an opportunity to respond and access to judicial review. It also opposed the use of executive or mobile courts to handle complaints arising from journalism.
Council President Nurul Kabir and Secretary General Dewan Hanif Mahmud issued the statement. The council wants those safeguards included in the legislation as it is revised.