Code of Conduct for the Newspapers, News Agencies and Journalists of Bangladesh, 1993

Code of Conduct for the Newspapers, News Agencies and Journalists of BangladeshCode of Conduct 1993 (2002 as Amended) for the Newspapers, News Agencies and Journalists of Bangladesh

1. Not to publish any news or publication detrimental to National Integrity, Independence, sovereignty, Oneness of State and Constitution of Bangladesh.
2. The War of Liberation and its spirit and ideals must be sustained and upheld, and any publication repugnant to it to be stopped.
3. It is the responsibility of a journalist to keep people informed of issues which influence or attract them. News and commentaries are to be prepared and published showing full respect to the sensitivity and individual rights of newspaper readers as well as the people.
4. Truth and accuracy of information available are to be ensured as far as possible.
5. Information received from reliable sources may be published in the public interest induced by honest intention and if facts presented therein are considered trustworthy by logical consideration, then a journalist is to be absolved from any adverse consequence for publication of such news.
6. Unconfirmed reports or reports based on rumours shall be verified before publication and if found unreasonable on verification, be withheld from publication.
7. News items whose contents are distorted and baseless or whose publication hinges on breach of trust not to be published.
8. Newspapers and journalists having the right to express their views on controversial issues and in doing so :
a. All events should be truthfully reported and views be clearly expressed.
b. No report of an event be distorted to influence the readers.
c. No news shall be distorted or slanted maliciously either in the main commentary or in the headline.
d. Views on main news shall be presented clearly and fairly.
9. The editor having the right to publish any advertisement signed by proper authorities in his/her newspaper even if it is apparently against any individual interest should not be slanderous or prejudicial to public interest. If protest is made with regard to such an advertisement, the editor shall print and publish it without any cost.
10. Newspapers shall refrain from publishing news which is contemptuous or disrespectful to caste, creed, nationality and religion of any individual or the community or the country. For upholding national unity, communal prejudices and feelings of hatred and malice be discouraged.
11. If a newspaper publishes any news which prejudices the interest and good name of an individual, agency, institution or group of people or any special category of people, then the newspaper concerned should provide opportunity to the aggrieved persons or institutions to publish their protest or state their point of view on the matter within a reasonable period of time.
12. If the published news is damaging or improper, then withdrawal, corrigendum or explanation be made and in special cases, apology should be tendered.
13. For the increase of circulation of newspaper no vulgar, derogatory, ghastly news and picture though attractive to the people, be published.
14. Newspapers should adopt reasonable measures with a view to resisting crime and corruption.
15. As extent and durability of the influence of newspapers is greater than that of other media, a journalist writing for newspaper shall particularly be cautious about the credibility and truthfulness of sources and shall also preserve his source material in order to avoid risks.
16. It is the responsibility of the newspapers to publish news relating to case under trial and to publish the final judgment of the court to reveal the actual picture of issues relating to trial. But a journalist shall refrain from publishing such comment or opinion as is likely to influence an under-trial case, until the final verdict is announced.
17. Rejoinder of the aggrieved party or parties directly involved with a news published in a newspaper shall be quickly published in the same newspaper on such page as would easily draw the attention of the readers. The editor, while editing the rejoinder shall not change its basic character.
18. If an aggrieved party sends a rejoinder for the damage done to him by an editorial, it shall be the obligation of the editor to publish the corrigendum on the same page and also express regrets.
19. Malicious news should not be published.
20. The editor is to accept full responsibility for all publications in the newspaper.
21. A reporter while reporting a case of financial or other kind of irregularity shall, to the best of his ability, verify the facts in his report and shall incorporate adequate material to prove the truth of the matter reported.
22. Any irresponsible publication to which no objection was taken cannot be source of news but a journalist cannot shirk his responsibility on the ground of reprinting the same.
23. It is a responsibility of a journalist to highlight any news which projects degeneration of moral values in the society but it is also the moral responsibility of a journalist to maintain strict precaution in publishing news/photo involving man-woman relationship or any report relating to woman.
24. Any person who will join in a service of newspaper or news agency or any media of news shall be bound to take oath and sign in presence of the editor as per form “Ka” as attached with this Code of Conduct.
25. Any publisher of a newspaper shall take oath and sign under section 11(2)(b) of the Press Council Act, as per form “Kha” as attached with this Code of Conduct.
Form “Ka’’
Form of Oath for the Journalist
I …………………………………………………… … s/o………………………………
Full Address………………………………. …… ………………………………………..
appointed as ………………………………………………………………………………………in
Daily/Weekly……………………………………..Newspaper/news agency do hereby take the
oath that :
1. I shall report and interpret news with unfaltering honesty.
2. I shall not suppress any important fact or distort any truth either through error or intentional lapses.
3. In all circumstances, I shall maintain secrecy of the source of news.
4. In all circumstances I shall uphold professional sanctity and protect the honour of fraternity and never take unfair advantage of fellow members.
5. I shall never accept any undue favour nor allow personal interest to influence my sense of judgement.
6. I shall maintain honesty in all spheres to gather news, pictures and documents.
7. I shall disclose my identity as representative of Press before obtaining any interview for publication.
8. I shall always make efforts to enjoy full public confidence through my conduct in the interest of integrity and dignity of my profession.
9. I shall abide by the code of conduct prescribed for newspapers, news agencies and journalists.
Date :
Signature of Journalist
Signature of Editor
Form “Kha’’
Form of Oath for the Publisher of Newspapers
I ………………………………………………….s/o …………..…………………
Full Address………………………….…… ………………………………………..
Daily/Weekly/Fortnightly/Monthly………………………….…………….:……..
……………………………………………………………………………….Publisher.
I hereby solemnly affirm that I shall abide by the Code of Conduct formulated by the Bangladesh Press Council for newspapers, news agencies and journalists and I shall ensure compliance of the same by everyone employed in my organization.
Date :
Signature of Publisher
Signature of Editor
[Source: Bangladesh Press council]