Dhaka, Nov. 12 (V7N) – The government has proposed amendments to the Press Council Act, 1974, to introduce minimum educational qualifications for journalists and punitive measures against the publication of false and misleading information.
The proposed amendments would also empower the Bangladesh Press Council to register journalists and maintain an online database of recognised media professionals.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman disclosed the proposals in a written reply to a question from independent lawmaker Sultana Jesmin in the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday.
The minister said the government aims to transform the Press Council into a stronger, more effective and media-friendly institution. Under the proposed changes, the council would receive authority to introduce a journalist registration system similar to that of the Bar Council and establish an online database of professional journalists.
The council may also be empowered to determine minimum educational qualifications to improve professional standards and ensure formal recognition of journalists.
The proposed amendments include specific penalties, including fines, for editors, publishers and journalists found to have violated journalistic codes of conduct. These provisions would cover the publication of false, harassing and reports deemed contrary to the public interest.
The proposals would further authorise the Press Council to initiate investigations on its own and take necessary action against violations of journalistic ethics, including the dissemination of rumours, fake news and hate speech.
In response to a supplementary question from BNP lawmaker Zainul Abdin Faruk, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury said the government was holding regular discussions with journalist organisations, including the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU), Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).
He said the government planned to develop a database of professional journalists based on consultations with these organisations. He added that journalist bodies were best placed to propose criteria for determining who should be recognised as a journalist.
The state minister also said it would not be appropriate for the government to decide who could enter a profession or how people should express their views.
He reaffirmed the government's commitment to freedom of expression and to ensuring the dissemination of objective and accurate information.
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