Most parliamentarians of the National Assembly (NA) insisted to have stringent laws against people committing crimes related to information, communications, and media services.
Members pointed out that the special committee of the house has relaxed some provisions on cyber crimes and other offences associated with ICT in the Bhutan Information Communications and Media Bill, 2016.
The committee has proposed in the legal document that a person who deliberately pose threats to ICT security and damages other media facilities must be liable for fine as well as fix damages. This will be in line with the rules and regulations that will be implemented by the Information and Communications Ministry.
However, majority in the house were against the recommendation. MP Dorji Wangdi from Panbang Constituency said, “Today in a fraction of a second, people can damage ICT and media services where agencies have invested huge chunk of money and hard work,” adding that the fine for the offenders is a meager amount.
Other members echoed similar viewpoints.
“If we enforce laws to impose fine on the wrongdoers then I think we are losing the objective behind implementing the rule,” said MP Ritu Raj Chhetri from Tashichhoeling Constituency in Samtse.
After heated debate, the house finalised to retain the original clause reflected in the bill. This means, an individual who happens to involve in ICT and media crimes shall be liable for offence of misdemeanor and also repair the damages caused.
Other than this, National Assembly also deliberated on the laws against a person involved in illegal operation of ICT and media services. For this offence, the special committee decided that the offender shall be fined rather than considering it as a fourth degree felony.
The Bhutan Information Communications and Media Bill, 2016 was unanimously endorsed in the house today. The bill will now be forwarded to the National Council. The Ministry of Information and Communications drafted the bill and introduced it in the parliament during the 8th session.
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