Govt will scrap Section 57, PM's Adviser Iqbal Sobhan says

The law ministry has moved to cancel Section 57 of the ICT Act following protests by journalists, Prime Minister's Information Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury has said.

He told a programme in Lalmonirhat on Saturday that the journalists were concerned over their 'harassment' in cases under the section.

There were protests across the country, especially by the journalists, against the section, he said.

"In the face of the protests, the law minister has announced that this law will be annulled," he added.

Journalists' associations, including the Editors' Council, are demanding cancellation of the section. They claim the section to be against 'independent journalism'.

Offences under Section-57 include electronic posts containing information that defame an individual or the state and cause deterioration of law or hurt religious belief. They are punishable with jail term from seven to 14 years.

Journalists and human rights activists have demonstrated in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, following recent cases and arrests under the section over social media posts and news reports.

Chowdhury, a former president of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina too wants the media to be free in a democratic system.

"The media's freedom will not be curbed by any dark law in the future. Section 57 will be cancelled. The ministries of law and information have taken steps in this regard," he said at the programme.

The prime minister's adviser also warned owners of print and electronic media with tough action if they do not bring journalists under the wage board.

Bangabandhu Shishu Kishore Mela organised the programme to distribute awards among children for cultural activities.