SC to clarify its directives to media soon: Minister

The Supreme Court (SC) will soon give a clarification about its notice that requested print and electronic media to refrain from reporting on ongoing cases at the court, Law Minister Anisul Huq said today.

“Discussion is going on among them (SC judges) about the circular and the SC will very soon give a clarification about it and therefore misunderstanding will be removed,” the law minister said.

He said this while talking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain at the latter’s office today.

The law minster later told the reporters that he met the chief justice as a routine work and suddenly discussed about the notice.

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.

WHAT DID THE CIRCULAR SAY?

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

Md Golam Rabbani, registrar of the SC’s High Court Division, signed the circular saying, “It has been noticed recently that some electronic and print media are giving scrolls or publishing news on ongoing cases, which is absolutely unexpected.

“Under the circumstances, it is being requested, upon orders, that all concerned refrain from publishing news or put up scrolls about ongoing cases,” the notice read.

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