ARTICLE 19 Bangladesh and South Asia launched the publication "Blogger der Adhikar" a bangla
version of the Policy Note " Right to Blog" at the BRAC Centre Auditorium in the Gulshan area of
Dhaka. The book launch was inaugurated by Professor Golam Rahman, Chairperson Drafting
Committee of the National Broadcasting law. The programme was moderated by Tahmina Rahman,
Director Bangladesh and South Asia for ARTICLE 19.
The event was attended by over hundred and twenty bloggers, journalists and ICT law specialists
including Laxman Datt Pant, Nepalese Media and Communiction expert. Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua,
Mahbubur Rahman Associate Professor, Department of Law University of Dhaka, Dr. Shahidul
Alam, Executive Director DRIK and Toufique lmrose Khalidi, Editor in Chief BD News 24. Com.
Representatives from UNDP and the German Embassy also attended the launch.

Commenting on the publication, Tahmina Rahman said.' " I am delighted that we are able to launch
this banga version on the auspicious month of February when we commemorate our language
internationally. The book proposes a sef of recommendations to state actors and policy makers
about what they should do to promote and protect the right s of bloggers". She added that this work:
"is an oLttcome the Bangladesh offices continuous engagement with wide range of bloggers and
online acfivisfs on issues retating to their rights and protection of online expression in Bangladesh".
Describing the event as one of a kind Toufique lmrose Khalidi said that ," / see fhis as a step in the
right direction to educating bloggers about their rights, today's orientation provided practical advice
to the bloggers about their rights".

Launching the book Professor Golam Rahman said that the publication will make a unique
contribution to the discussions on rights of bloggers as ," if explains in what situations they can
invoke some of the privileges and defenses that traditional iournalists have found vital to the integrity
of their work".

Laxman Datt commented: " I am amazed fo see so many young bloggers in on eplace, such a
gatheing will encourage the youth of South Asia region. I betieve this a very first event with bloggers
in Bangtadesh in such a big scale, this wittserve as an example for other South Asian countries to
work toward the improvement of freedom of expresslon of bloggers and online activists"'

Tariquel Kabir
ARTICLE 19 Bangladesh and South Asia