Actors Equity urges members to resolve disputes internally

Actors Equity Bangladesh has issued a formal warning to its members, urging them not to publicise internal disputes on social media or in the press and cautioning that violations could lead to disciplinary action.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the organisation addressed what it described as growing instances of personal conflicts among members being aired publicly. The notice was signed by president Azad Abul Kalam and general secretary Rashed Mamun Apu.
“For the information of all members of Actors Equity Bangladesh, it is hereby stated that, as professionals, if any complication or difference of opinion arises with a member of one’s own organisation or any friendly association, publicising the matter on social media or in the mass media without informing the concerned organisation is contrary to the code of conduct of Actors Equity Bangladesh,” the statement read.
The guild emphasised that disputes should be resolved through institutional mechanisms rather than public exchanges.
“In such situations, we believe that issues should be resolved through mutual discussion between the concerned parties, institutional procedures, and the organisational structure,” the statement said. “When an incident is presented unilaterally on social media, it can, on the one hand, call into question the image of the professional community concerned, and on the other, spread unwanted confusion and negativity.”
The organisation warned that members who breach the code of conduct could face consequences.
“Therefore, in the aforementioned cases, if any member violates the code of conduct, organisational decisions of any kind may be taken against him or her,” it stated.
Reiterating its position against online campaigns, the guild added: “Actors Equity Bangladesh firmly believes that, whoever may be at fault, problems should be resolved through institutional discipline and fair process, rather than creating a ‘trial’ on social media or a court of public opinion, or publicising the matter across different platforms. Let us remain respectful towards organisational discipline and responsibility.”
The statement concluded with a call of solidarity: “Victory to the artistes. Victory to Actors Equity Bangladesh.”
The warning comes amid heightened scrutiny of public disputes within the country’s entertainment sector, several of which have unfolded on social media in recent months. The organisation did not refer to any specific incident or individual in its statement.