Journos to be fined up to Tk 10 lakh for ‘illegal activity’

The Press Council Act-1974 is being amended with a provision of fining a journalist up to Tk 10 lakh if found involved in any illegal or criminal activities, Bangladesh Press Council Chairman Justice Nizamul Huq Nasim said on Tuesday.

He was addressing a programme marking the handover of training certificates to journalists at the Rajshahi Circuit House.

Nizamul said the draft of the law, now with the Cabinet, may be passed in the next session of parliament.

There has been a rise in reports of journalists being involved in illegal activities, he said, adding that the current law does not have any provision for punishing journalists except for rebuking them for wrongdoings.

"We want proper journalism which would earn journalists respect."

Nizamul said the Press Council and the PIB are preparing a list of journalists. Names of journalists will be collected from media outlets, but their information will be verified, he added.