The Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) has urged the government not to go for any law that appears as barriers to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
NOAB also demanded immediate annulment of the ‘controversial’ section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act due to its ‘widespread misuse’.
Demanding withdrawal of all the cases filed under the section against journalists, NOAB said interference in freedom of expression is actually an attack on the newspaper industry.
NOAB leaders came up with the demands in a resolution adopted at a meeting held at the Daily Prothom Alo office on Saturday, said a press release on Sunday.
The Association expressed concern over the inclusion of similar provisions like section 57 in the proposed National Online Mass Media Policy and Digital Act.
It urged the government not to take any step that goes against the freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution.
NOAB also expressed concern over attacks on journalists in various parts of the country and filing of cases with an intention of harassment.
The association urged the government to take effective steps to stop such things. – UNB
