Scrap section 57 for freedom of speech
It is imperative to scrap Section 57 of the ICT act to ensure freedom of speech for journalists and social media users, said Tahmina Rahman, regional director of Article 19 for Bangladesh and South Asia, yesterday.
She was addressing a discussion at the capital on the findings of a stakeholder report on the third cycle of Universal Periodic Review. It was organised by Article 19 and Research Initiative Bangladesh (REB).
Prof Ajay Roy, father of slain writer Avijit Roy, said journalists could not perform their duties independently due to Section 57.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, however, said the section was not aimed at harassing journalists and the law and information ministries would take a decision on it, says a press release.
REB executive director Dr Meghna Guhathakurta, Prothom Alo joint editor Sohrab Hossain, and columnist Syed Badrul Ahsan also spoke.
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