Don’t publish news that may impact cases

Bangladesh Press Council yesterday issued instructions regarding court reporting, urging the media not to publish any news or article that may influence under-trial cases.

During the court proceedings, the arguments between judges and lawyers are solely assets of the court and they are not something to be published in newspapers, said a handout of the press council.

Before the delivery of the final judgment, journalists should refrain from publishing any comment or opinion over under-trial cases or issues as these can defame judges or influence verdicts of cases, it said.

The actual picture of under-trial cases can be presented in reporting, the handout said, adding that if any doubt arises, the issue should be published after verifying from bench officers of the courts concerned and registrars of the High Court Division and the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

It said journalists should refrain from publishing reports that can be tantamount to contempt of the Supreme Court and can harm or there remains a possibility of tarnishing the honour of the judges. Print, broadcast and online media are requested to follow the matter very carefully, the handout added.

Media outlets are requested to follow the section 16 of Code of Conduct 1993 (amended in 2002) for journalists, formulated by Bangladesh Press Council.

Section 16 states, “It is the responsibility of the newspapers to publish news relating to case under trial and to publish the final judgment of the court to reveal the actual picture of issues relating to trial. But a journalist shall refrain from publishing such comment or opinion as is likely to influence an under-trial case, until the final verdict is announced.”

On August 7, the HC bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice Mohammad Ali delivered a verdict following a writ petition. Based on the verdict, Bangladesh Press Council issued the handout.