Former Justice of the High Court Division Md AKM Abdul Hakim has been appointed as the chairman of the Bangladesh Press Council (BPC) for a three-year term on a contractual basis. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Wednesday in this regard. Under the provisions of the Press Council Act, 1974, Abdul Hakim is required to relinquish any involvement in other professions, businesses, or employment with government, semi-government, or private institutions, according to the notification. 11-member committee announced at first national Anti-Corruption Coordination Council conference The appointment will take effect from the date of his joining, the notification added. Abdul Hakim’s appointment follows the cancellation of the contractual term of the previous BPC Chairman, Md Nizamul Haque, on September 9. The decision was made by the interim government after the fall of the Hasina administration.  

The Bangladesh Press Council is preparing a roadmap to create a database for the protection of journalists and media outlets in the country, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday. “The new law we have drafted to strengthen the Press Council has already been sent to the Cabinet,” he told reporters after receiving the council's annual report of 2020 from the chairman of the Press Council at the secretariat. Also read: Info minister inaugurates Bangabandhu Corner, Bangladeshi fashion house in Guwahati If passed by the parliament after its presentation in the cabinet, the power of the press council will increase, he said. “When someone commits misdeeds in disguise of a journalist, it often affects the entire journalist community,” he said. “In order to protect the journalist community from this, I requested the Press Council to create a database of journalists and news media by formulating a policy in consultation with the stakeholders.” “I think it will bring order, it will reduce misinformation.” The minister further hoped that true journalists and the media will get protection through the formation of this database. Also read: Digital platform for risk-informed development launched The minister also thanked the Press Council for training the journalists and for contributing to the betterment of journalism as well as for initiating the work of compiling the list of journalists on the basis of a policy as directed. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the Bangladesh Press Council. As a judicial board, the body was set up to deal with disputes between readers and newspapers, Hasan Mahmud added.

Bangladesh Press Council has urged the deputy commissioners of all the districts to prepare lists of journalists and media workers and arrange incentives for them during this time of coronavirus crisis.

Dhaka, Sept 16 (UNB) - Bangladesh Press Council has urged print, electronic and online media not to publish any report that may influence the verdict of a case under trial, and defame the Supreme Court as well as judges.