Noab calls for repeal of section 57

Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (Noab) has urged the government not to enact any law that could impede freedom of expression and freedom of press.

It also demanded repeal of “controversial” section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology Act for “its widespread misuse” and demanded withdrawal of all cases filed against journalists under the section.

Noab made the call through a proposal adopted at a meeting held at Bangla daily Prothom Alo office on Saturday.

“Intervention in freedom of expression is indeed an attack on the newspaper industry,” Noab said in a press release signed by its president Matiur Rahman.

Expressing concern over the government's initiative to incorporate provisions like section 57 in the proposed Digital Security Act and National Online Mass Media Policy, Noab urged the government not to take any step that goes against freedom of expression which is guaranteed by the constitution.

Noab also expressed concern over the attacks on journalists and filing of cases to harass them in different parts of the country and urged the government to take steps to stop these.