Independent regulatory body for Journalists
Sohul Ahmed Moku: The legal community of Judges and Lawyers opined that the Government should protect journalists from Yellow Journalism. Hence, a regulatory body is necessary to monitor Journalists’ relevant academics, ethics, and duty and responsibility. Its mission should be to drive confidence and trust in Journalism in Bangladesh.
A journalist is a person who possesses an academic qualification in Journalism and relevant experience or education. For example, a Law Journalist should have a legal background.
There are several forms of journalism namely medical journalists, Law journalists, Business journalists, Interactive journalists, Investigative journalists, photojournalists, Political journalists, Sports journalists, and War journalists.
A Reporter, under the supervision of the Journalist, he/she researches, writes, and reports on information to present using sources. This may entail conducting interviews, information-gathering, and writing articles. Reporters may split their time between working in a newsroom, from home or outside to witness events, or interviewing people.
The Press Council Act 1974 established a Press Council to preserve the freedom of the Press and maintain and improve the standard of newspapers and news agencies in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, this Act controlled media for the interest of the government rather than the public. The council does not possess the power to go against the government when Government interrupts in newspaper or journalism freedom of information flow.
This Act did not define who would be a Journalist, the criteria to become a general member of the Council and their required academic qualification in Journalism, and how to regulate Journalists as a result most Bangladeshi Journalists have no relevant academic qualification in Journalism, however, their qualification based on their experiences.
Nowadays, the media plays a vital role in the legal field of Bangladesh. The Lawyers and Judges rely on Print and Electronic media as evidence. The Asylum Tribunal in the UK did not rely on the Bangladeshi newspapers because of it’s authenticity, their judgment was based on the UK government report on the relevant Country Report. They find to difficult it’s the quality of being genuine or real. If the evidence is genuine, whether such an Author has relevant qualifications and experiences in Journalism.
The legal framework on Media is very delicate in Bangladesh and the implementation of laws is very ineffective. The freedom of media and improvement of media in all sectors are in some way blocked or restricted by Government or political influences.
The following proposal could be considered by the relevant ministry of the government of Bangladesh and discussed with the stakeholders.
1. Established Bangladesh Journalist Regulation Authority by the order of the President (Ordinance)
2. The Ordinance should include general members who should have a degree of Journalism, facilitate relevant training, and provide a Membership Certificate as a Journalist.
3. Foreign Journalists must register as a Foreign Journalist.
4. All media must have a supervisor called an Editor, who must be a member of the Bangladesh Journalist Regulation Authority.
5. Amend The Press Council Act 1974 and create a separate Disciplinary Media Tribunal, so the tribunal could examine any decision of the regulatory body or government.
Author : Sohul Ahmed Moku; Advocate of the Bangladesh Supreme Court & Lawyer, the Supreme Court of England. Email: sohulm59@gmail.com
