Bangladesh Press Council Chairman Justice Nizamul Haque Nasim gave a strong message to journalists. He said that nowadays everyone is giving the identity of a journalist to whomever he/she wants. But journalism is not for ginger traders. Journalism is for those who are real journalists. In the end they will stay.
He said that a new law is being enacted to counter derailed-journalism. If any journalist commits crime, he/she will have to pay BDT 1 million fine. This law is currently in the cabinet and expected to be passed during the next session of Bangladesh Parliament.
Justice Nizamul Haque Nasim said, now a days, anyone is giving the identity of a journalist and are blackmailing people. For this reason, it is essential to identify real journalists. At the same time, new law is also essential.
He said, Bangabandhu [Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman] had founded Press Council. He had given dignity to journalists. He thought, journalists were a class of people for whom reprimand was sufficient punishment. That is why, under the Press Council Act, most of the punishment for journalists is reprimand, whenever they commit anything wrong.
Council Act. Reprimand is a great punishment for a man. It will build their self-esteem. But new laws are now deemed necessary considering current situation.
Justice Nizamul Haque Nasim said, list of journalists are being jointly prepared by the Press Council and Press Information Bureau (PIB). While PIB is making list of journalists from electronic and online media, Press Council is preparing list of journalists in the print media. For this, list of journalists will be taken from every print media. But only providing list by the print media will not make anyone a journalist. It will be duly verified.
He further said that relatives of the editors of many well-known newspapers are included as journalists, But in reality, they are not in journalistic profession. No such person can be included in the list of journalists by the Press Council. Minimum educational qualification of a journalist will be graduation. However, if someone has five years of valid work experience supported by letter of appointment, then he/she will be included in the list.
