The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Rakib Uddin

An executive head of a Dhaka based non-government organisation on environment wanted to know about the procedure of a press conference just before beginning of a press conference at the national press club on Wednesday. Such a quarry I never came across in any press conference during my 45-year long career as professional journalist. In this respect at best what I can tell that there is no hard and fast rules of the press conference-one of the established sources or platforms for the journalists from where they procure information to the best of my knowledge. I have neither seen any book nor any authoritative documents that have clearly laid down rules and procedures on holding, addressing and attending the press conference. Here I take the privileges to state certain norms, conventions and traditions out of my experience that guide all quarters concerned towards arranging a successful press conference. Before I focus on the scenario I feel it necessary to say certain relevant points. These are - holding of a press conference are democratic and fundamental rights of any citizen, organization, authority and office both private and public sectors where they find a comfortable atmosphere suitable for expressing their opinions on both domestic and international problems - be it their personal grievances or collective approaches. All of them are legally entitled to talk to the press as they enjoy the constitutional rights to speak freely .All citizens and authorities choose to talk to the press conference with a view to conveying their deliberations to the people and all quarters concerned at large.

How a press conference proceeds? Those who are due to address a press conference and those who are assigned to cover it are timely to attend the session whose venue and schedule are announced earlier .The sitting arrangements is such that the main speaker and his or her associates will sit facing the newsmen accommodated in well disciplined order. In case of shortage of sits the journalists will have to stand with smiling face to discharge their professional duties for which they are invited to the function. The team of the speakers is supposed to be small in size as much as possible.

After an introductory speech, prepared or extempore by the main speaker whose name must be announced at the out set, on the subject fixed for the press conference, comes the question and answer session.

The journalists attending the press conference only for their professional duties enjoy the privilege to put the questions to the chair one by one separately for the sake of the mutual benefits only related with the objectives for which the particular press conference has been called for. To put any question not concerned with the subject of the press conference directly or indirectly needs permission from the chair.

The main speaker who addresses the press conference is supposed to give answers of all the questions but other speakers who desire to speak and answer the question can do it on behalf of the main speaker who is solely responsible for all outputs. Questions and answers must be brief as much as possible since a press conference is not usually desired by all interested circles as a lengthy session. Moreover, journalists who are always in hurry in news hunting always avoid situation that unnecessary consumes time.

All deliberations, comments and views passed from both sides must be relevant, positive and informative in all considerations as there is no scope at all of talking any thing that does not constitute news item.

Speakers who are due to give answers of the questions in a press conference do have privileges of not answering any question if he or she deems it fit.

At such a stage, the speaker should not be forced to give the answer .It is his or her discretion to give or not to give the answer. Journalists should put questions without fear and favour while the speakers would reply in a unequivocal terms for clear understanding for newsmen.

There is no scope at all in any press conference for altercation and hot exchange of words between the speakers and the newsmen. Every one in such a function should refrain from using words that may crate confusions and hamper healthy atmosphere. Both sides should be sound, sober and calculative in their manner and approaches and also be away from personal deal and relation. Those who call press conference have privileges to wind up .All discussion here are taken into consideration as recorded.

Serving snack, lunch and dinner in a press conference should be restricted. The norms and the conventions mentioned should be followed to maintain decency and discipline in a press conference to obtain maximum benefits for which it is convened. But these are not mandatory. Press conference and press briefing are similar in nature .One is identical with another in objectives. There is difference between the two in some minor aspects. In a press briefing arranged on a short notice or promptly only to report on sudden development the question - answer session is limited. But generally an adequate time at least breathing moment are considered for holding a press conference.