Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Sunday emphasised the need for making the Bangladesh Press Council fully functional by reconstituting it with all 14 members immediately.
He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with members of the Law Reporters Forum at his Supreme Court office.
鈥楾he Press Council has a vibrant chairman, but it cannot function effectively in the absence of its other members, as it has not been fully reconstituted,鈥� the chief justice stated.
The Press Council is chaired by retired High Court judge Justice AKM Abdul Hakim, who was appointed by the interim government on November 27, 2024, for three years on a contractual basis.
The council, however, lacks members, three working journalists nominated by journalists鈥� unions, three editors nominated by associations of newspapers and news agencies, three owners of newspapers or agencies nominated by their respective associations, one representative each from Bangla Academy, the University Grants Commission, and the Bangladesh Bar Council, and two lawmakers nominated by the Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad.
The council is mandated to establish a code of conduct for newspapers, agencies, and journalists, conduct studies on the impact of national and foreign media, provide training in journalism, and promote professionalism and collaboration within the media industry.
Highlighting the significance of journalists in ensuring the council鈥檚 effectiveness, the chief justice said, 鈥楯ournalists are key stakeholders in the Bangladesh Press Council, which acts as the fourth estate. You must pay greater attention to the council to make it effective.鈥�
He described Justice Abdul Hakim, the current chairman, as proactive and experienced, both as a judge and an organiser.
Former Bangladesh Bar Council member ZI Khan Panna, one of the 14 members of the Press Council formed by the Awami League government on December 21, 2021, criticised the council as ineffective.
鈥楾he Press Council is a toothless tiger. It can do little beyond issuing show-cause notices or rebukes,鈥� Panna said, calling for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to strengthen the council鈥檚 authority and resources.
