Reporting on ongoing cases

Clarification by SC soon

Says law minister

Law minister Anisul Huq yesterday said that the Supreme Court would give a clarification very soon about its recent notice that requested the media not to publish reports over ongoing cases. The law minister made the disclosure after coming out from a meeting with Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain at the Supreme Court.

The law minister said, “Discussion is going on among them (SC judges) about the circular and the SC will very soon give a clarification about it. After that, all misunderstanding will be removed, if there is any, regarding the notice.”

In response to a query, the law minister said that he frequently meets with the chief justice. “I met with the chief justice as a routine work and a discussion on the notice came up,” Huq said.

Soon after the notice was issued, Law Reporters Forum, a platform of reporters who cover law, human rights, and

constitutional issues, said they were saddened and shocked by the notice.

Editors Guild, Bangladesh, has also urged the SC Secretariat to clarify its instructions for the media over the matter.

On Thursday, the SC administration issued a circular asking print and electronic media to refrain from reporting on ongoing cases at the court.

“Recently, it has been appearing that some electronic media in their TV channels and some print media in their newspapers have been broadcasting or publishing the proceeding of sub-judice cases, which is unprecedented. Under these circumstances, after being directed, all concerned are requested to refrain from publishing reports on any ongoing cases,” said the Supreme Court notice signed by High Court Registrar Md Golam Rabbani.

However, the law minister on Sunday said there is no bar to reporting on ongoing cases but reporters cannot give personal opinion about the cases.

Reporting on ongoing cases

Clarification by SC soon

Says law minister

Law minister Anisul Huq yesterday said that the Supreme Court would give a clarification very soon about its recent notice that requested the media not to publish reports over ongoing cases. The law minister made the disclosure after coming out from a meeting with Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain at the Supreme Court. The law minister said, Discussion is going on among them (SC judges) about the circular and the SC will very soon give a clarification about it. After that, all misunderstanding will be removed, if there is any, regarding the notice. In response to a query, the law minister said that he frequently meets with the chief justice. I met with the chief justice as a routine work and a discussion on the notice came up, Huq said. Soon after the notice was issued, Law Reporters Forum, a platform of reporters who cover law, human rights, and constitutional issues, said they were saddened and shocked by the notice. Editors Guild, Bangladesh, has also urged the SC Secretariat to clarify its instructions for the media over the matter. On Thursday, the SC administration issued a circular asking print and electronic media to refrain from reporting on ongoing cases at the court. Recently, it has been appearing that some electronic media in their TV channels and some print media in their newspapers have been broadcasting or publishing the proceeding of sub-judice cases, which is unprecedented. Under these circumstances, after being directed, all concerned are requested to refrain from publishing reports on any ongoing cases, said the Supreme Court notice signed by High Court Registrar Md Golam Rabbani. However, the law minister on Sunday said there is no bar to reporting on ongoing cases but reporters cannot give personal opinion about the cases.