Press Council issues instructions for court reporting

The Bangladesh Press Council has issued instructions for journalists for reporting on court affairs.

In a statement, the council said before the pronouncement of final judgment, journalists should refrain from publishing any comments or opinions over under-trial cases or issues as these can defame judges or influence verdict of cases.

At the same time, it also observed that arguments between judges and lawyers were solely assets of the court and should not be published.  

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

The press release also said journalists should avoid publishing reports that can be tantamount to contempt of the Supreme Court and can harm or there remains possibility of tarnishing honor of the judges. 

Print, electronic and online media are also requested to follow these issues very carefully, the statement said.

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

The Section 16 says: “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.”