Dhaka: Accusing the government of repressing journalists using section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act, BNP on Friday demanded the government repeal it immediately.

"The government is oppressing the journalists using section 57 of the ICT Act. At least 50 cases have so far been filed against journalists under the section. Even a senior journalist has been sent to jail after his arrest under the act," said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

He came up with the remarks at a press briefing at the BNP's Nayapaltan central office.

Describing the section 57as contrary to freedom of expression, the BNP leader said, "I on behalf of BNP demand the government immediately scrap all the black laws, including section 57 of the ICT Act."

He also demanded withdrawal of cases filed against journalists and the release of those arrested under the section 57.
 Rizvi said although the Law Minister earlier gave assurance of revoking the section, he later backed off from his stance.

Referring to the media reports, the BNP leader said the government is now formulating "Digital Security Act" which will be "more awful than the section 57". "There'll be a provision in the section 19 of the Digital Security Act to strongly control the media."

He said the act will seriously affect the freedom of expression. "If anyone gives any statement about the history of the Liberation War differing with the government's version, he/she will be treated as a digital terrorist."

"Making such black laws is amount to interfering in the independence of the newspapers, electronic media, online portals and social media," Rizvi added.