Bangladesh’s Attorney General, Mohammad Asaduzzaman, stated that the state possesses numerous legal provisions that can be used to suppress journalists, beyond the Digital Security Act. Speaking at the ‘Bay of Bengal Conversation 2025’ organized by the Centre for Governance Studies, he emphasized that restrictive laws have long existed, citing the Penal Code, the Special Powers Act of 1974, and sedition laws. He argued that repealing the Digital Security Act alone would not ensure press freedom unless there is a change in the state’s and political leadership’s mindset. Asaduzzaman recalled historical cases of journalist arrests under earlier laws and shared personal experiences highlighting judicial rigidity. He urged journalists to advocate not only for press freedom but also for broader civil rights. The Attorney General called for a balanced approach among the state, citizens, and the media, and expressed his commitment to ensuring freedom of speech as guaranteed by the constitution.