HC restrains media from broadcasting, publishing statements of fugitives

The High Court today issued an injunction restraining electronic, print and social media, including Facebook and YouTube, from broadcasting and publishing statements, interviews and conversations of all fugitive convicts and under trial accused, including Proshanta Kumar Halder, till further order.

The court also ordered the authorities concerned of private television channel -- Ekattor TV -- to submit the video clips featuring Proshanta Kumar Halder, better known as PK Halder, aired on the private television channel on December 28.

The channel has to submit the video clip to the court by January 10 through its registrar.

Ekattor TV aired an interview of PK Halder at 10:00pm on December 28 and connected him to a live talk show programme at 11:30pm the same day where PK Halder made statements turning down the allegations against him of laundering huge amount of money abroad.

The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Ahmed Sohel came up with the order today after hearing a petition filed by Anti- Corruption Commission's lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan praying to this court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the authorities concerned of Ekattor TV for broadcasting interview of PK Halder and for connecting him as a guest to the live talk show.

While passing the order, the HC bench said the freedom of expression is guaranteed by the constitution of the republic but that freedom is subject to some reasonable restrictions.

The HC also fixed January 10 for holding hearing on this issue.