Press Council report placed in JS

The Bangladesh Press Council delivered judgements in 11 cases in 1998, according to the 1998 annual report of the Council placed before the Jatiya Sangsad yesterday, reports BSS.

Out of total 20 cases filed with the Council, six were withdrawn by the complainants, the report said.

The annual report was placed by the State Minister for Information, Prof Abu Sayeed, under the 1974 Press Council Act.

Justice Habibur Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Press Council, in his statement in the annual report stressed the need for making the Council more effective and meaningful under the 1974 act by increasing its power to ensure free press.

The chairman pointed out that the 1974 Bangladesh Press Council Act should be amended giving increased power to the Council, as the act does not make it obligatory for newspapers to publish the verdicts of the Council. Many newspapers do not publish the Press Council verdicts in the absence of such power, Justice Rahman said.