ICT cautions media

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 chairman today asked the media to be cautious while reporting trial proceedings.
“Events should be reported when it happens,” said Justice M Enayetur Rahim.
He came with the remarks before starting delivery of the verdict against Awami League local leader Mobarak Hossain in a war crimes case. The tribunal sat at the courtroom at 11:13am.
“When Mobarak’s war crimes case was put on the cause list, different television channels yesterday broadcast reports instantly saying that the verdict against him would be delivered tomorrow (today),” Justice Rahim observed.
“But, the Tribunal-1 fixed the date for verdict later when it sat with the cause list,” the judge added.
“Many people may have sixth sense about news and they might have become experts day after day covering with the court news,” he said.
“Today, I read a newspaper report that said the judges will sit for delivering the judgement against Mobarak at 11:00am.”
“I wonder how the reporter realised that the court will deliver the verdict today?” he posed a question.
Another member of the tribunal, Justice Jahangir Hossain, asked the media: “If the judges fixed November 30 to announce the verdict, then what message public would get?”