Probing fake news: Press council seeks suo moto powers

The Press Council has sought the authority to launch suo moto investigations and take action against those spreading fake news, rumours and hate speech or violating journalistic ethics.

The quasi-judicial body has also proposed bringing online news portals under its jurisdiction, introducing a registration and certification system for journalists, and giving the council tribunal-like powers to adjudicate professional misconduct cases.

The proposals were presented at a meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on the information and broadcasting ministry at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban yesterday.

Representatives of the ministry’s departments and agencies submitted recommendations aimed at making their activities “more dynamic and people-oriented”, according to documents.

Committee Chairman Aman Ullah Aman presided over the meeting, attended by Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman, State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury and other committee members.

The Press Council suggested empowering itself to investigate and take action against reports deemed harmful to national integrity, independence and sovereignty, contrary to public taste or journalistic ethics, or detrimental to public interest.

It also recommended effective penalties, including fines, for editors, publishers, and journalists in cases filed by aggrieved individuals over false, harassing or unethical reports.

The council sought exclusive jurisdiction over journalists’ rights and professional misconduct, and proposed appointing a district judge as a member to strengthen its quasi-judicial powers.

To improve professional standards, it recommended a registration and certification system for journalists, modelled on the Bangladesh Bar Council.

EDITORS’ QUALIFICATIONS, JOURNALISTS’ FINANCIAL SECURITY

The council recommended amending the Printing Presses and Publications (Declaration and Registration) Act to set specific educational and professional requirements for newspaper editors.

Section 12(2)(j) of the existing law says an editor must have reasonable educational qualifications or adequate training or experience in journalism for a newspaper’s declaration to be authenticated. The council said the requirements are not clearly defined, allowing virtually anyone to become an editor.

It proposed making a bachelor’s degree, relevant training and at least 10 years’ journalism experience mandatory for editors.

To improve journalists’ financial security, the council proposed cancelling a newspaper’s declaration if it employs journalists without appointment letters or fails to pay their salaries and allowances for three consecutive months or more.

It also suggested requiring newspapers receiving government benefits to submit annual audit reports to the district magistrate’s office, the Department of Films and Publications and the Press Council. A monitoring committee comprising representatives of the three institutions would oversee regular publication and inspect newspaper offices.

For financial independence, the council sought authority to collect a levy of one percent of newspaper circulation revenue or a rate fixed by the authorities.

It also proposed setting up a research cell to study media freedom and ways to improve journalistic standards.

‘CONTRADICTION’

Prof Gitiara Nasreen, a member of the Media Reform Commission, said retaining the Press Council contradicted the commission’s recommendation for an independent media commission to oversee journalistic standards and codes of conduct, and guide media outlets towards professional practices.

She questioned why separate bodies were needed when the proposed commission could cover all media.

She also questioned the Press Council’s independence, citing its placement under the information ministry and the potential influence of the executive and the judiciary.

“The commission should not be punitive. Its primary role should be to guide the media, address journalists’ professional concerns and ensure they can work independently without interference,” she said.

BTV, FILM ARCHIVE

Committee members stressed the need to consider the social impact of programmes and news broadcast by Bangladesh Television (BTV), according to a press release from the Parliament Secretariat.

They said BTV should not become a commercial channel but function as a media institution accountable to the state and society, with clearly defined goals and objectives.

They also emphasised the importance and relevance of news and called for programmes that appeal to the public.

The committee stressed including the history of the 1990 mass uprising and the July mass uprising, along with the 1971 Liberation War and other significant events, in historical documentaries and archival materials preserved by the Bangladesh Film Archive.