Bangladesh police charge six Agrajatra Pratidin journalists under the Cyber Security Act 2026 after reporting on a minister; ministry drafts amendment with 10-year penalty for 'unverified' content
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What happened
On 18 June 2026 police in Bogura arrested acting editor Rezanur Islam of the daily Agrajatra Pratidin; he received bail on 21 June. Six staff were charged under the Cyber Security Act 2026, criminal defamation, extortion and intimidation on a complaint by a Bogura Press Club official, after the paper reported on alleged corruption by State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam. The complaint alleges attempted extortion of 2 million taka; CPJ called the case intimidation. On 10 September 2026 the Information Ministry discussed draft amendments that would punish online material deemed 'unsubstantiated or unverified' by authorities with up to 10 years' prison, which CPJ said could undermine press freedom; the minister said the aim is stopping disorder on social media.
By the numbers (2)
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- Committee to Protect Journalists — Bangladesh charges 6 journalists over corruption reporting
Police charged the journalists under the Cyber Security Act 2026
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- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
unsubstantiated or unverified ... up to 10 years imprisonment
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