Like the Data Protection Act that preceded it, the Cybercrime Bill now before Parliament presents some unexpected perils for the media, with provisions that directly affect the process of newsgathering. While at a cursory glance the law seems to have the simple and worthwhile objective of dealing with offences committed in cyberspace, such as harassment, cyber-bullying, damage to reputation and extortion, a more careful review exposes provisions that might threaten press freedom.
Clauses 21 and 23 of the bill are particularly worrying, as they could hamper the gathering and publication of information and subject journalists to hefty penalties—a $250,000 fine and five years’ imprisonment—for simply doing their jobs. That is why it is so important, before proceeding further along this disturbing legislative path, that the debate is put on hold to allow for careful examination of this law. It is unfortunate that the various stakeholders were not consulted before the bill was laid in Parliament, but it is not too late. The Media Association, the T&T Publishers and Broadcasters Association, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers and the Law Association are just some of the interest groups which must be given time to weigh in on this Cybercrime Bill.
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