Section 57 for repressing journos: BNP

Demanding repeal of the section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology Act, the BNP today alleged that the government is repressing journalists using the section.

The party also claimed that till now 50 cases were filed against journalists under the section 57 and, in the latest of such incidents, a journalist was sent to jail on Thursday.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi addressing a press briefing at party’s Nayapaltan headquarters said that section 57 is a barrier to the freedom of expression.

“Although the law minister had said article 57 will be repealed, he backtracked from his position,” Rizvi said.

Rizvi said, through media his party came to know that the government is formulating “Digital Security Act” which he said would be “more dreadful than section 57.”

“I, on behalf of BNP, demand that the government to immediately scrap all the black laws, including section 57 of the ICT Act.”

Rizvi also demanded withdrawal of cases filed against journalists and release of the arrested journalists under the section 57 of the ICT Act.