Staff Reporter :
The Supreme Court administration on Tuesday said, “Reporting on ongoing cases, for which the court’s image and dignity become tarnished and the trial proceedings are influenced, is not expected.”
It said this in a notice issued to clarify its May 16 notification that had requested print and electronic media to refrain from reporting sub-judice cases.
Notice issued yesterday said, “The Bangladesh Supreme Court always believes in the freedom of the press.”
The notice signed by SC Registrar General Md Zakir Hossain said, “In this situation, the notification issued on May 16 has been clarified and all concerned have been conveyed.”
On May 16, Md Golam Rabbani, Registrar of the SC’s High Court Division, issued a notice saying, “It has been noticed recently that some electronic and print media are giving scrolls or publishing news on ongoing cases, which is absolutely unexpected.”
“Under the circumstances, it is being requested, upon orders, that all concerned should refrain from publishing news or running scrolls about ongoing cases,” the notice had read.
Soon after the notice was issued, various journalist organizations protested the notice. Law Reporters Forum, a forum of journalists working in the legal affairs bit, had said they were saddened and shocked by the notice.
Editors Guild, Bangladesh, had also urged the SC Secretariat to clarify its instructions to the media.
On May 20, Law Minister Anisul Huq said, “The Supreme Court will soon give a clarification about its notice that requested print and electronic media to refrain from reporting on ongoing cases.”
“Discussion is going on among them (SC judges) about the circular and the SC will very soon give a clarification about it and therefore misunderstanding will be removed,” the Law Minister said.
He said this while talking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain at the latter’s office on Monday.
