The New Nation - Internet Edition

Pulack Ghatack

The Election Commission's (EC) move to introduce a code of conduct for media in covering the upcoming elections has created doubt and confusion among journalists on press freedom in the country.

Journalists are suspecting a government curb on media rights in the name of the proposed code of conduct and have vowed to oppose the move, if necessary.

Media should be self-regulated and should not be controlled or regulated from outside, leading journalists of the country opined.

They also believed that the EC's efforts might fall flat, as the media was unlikely to adopt the code of conduct, if they were not forced to comply.

They have suggested the Commission to discuss the issue with editors of newspapers and heads of news of different radio and television channels before formulating any code of conduct for the media.

Reaz Uddin Ahmed, Editor of the News Today told this correspondent that the Commission can formulate a code of conduct, but media will not obey it, as it will not be mandatory.

"I doubt whether it would be at all effective. They should discuss it with the people particularly with the newspaper editors and heads of news of radio and television channels," he said.

Editor of the Bangladesh Observer Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said, "Any code of conduct should not be imposed from any quarters outside the media."

He said that media obviously would have to play a vital role in ensuring a free, fair transparent and peaceful election for transition to democracy.

"For that matter the media's role should not be in any way misunderstood or miss interpreted as controversial in the society or to those who will participate in the elections," he added.

This code of conduct should not be formulated by the government. But the election commission should draw the principles through discussions with media people for ensuring a responsible and accountable and also objective coverage of the election.

"Media cannot be controlled. Our responsibility should rests with us," he added.

He said, "Media has the right to support or oppose any party in the elections, but it will not be advisable for media to create any situation where the process of election will be jeopardised, which may lead to violence and hatred."

He sought explanation from the Commission about Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda's suggestion not to broadcast election results before the official announcement.

"There is nothing advance to be broadcast," he said, "As the centres will count the votes and declare it officially." "Can't we inform the people as the results come in? He posed the question. That's our right," he said adding that it would also help check manipulation of any sort or a media coup.

President of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul said, there might be a code of conduct for covering the elections, as many countries have already introduced it.

The code should be framed to help the media, not to control it. "If any quarters try to control the media, we will not accept it. We did not accept such measures in the past and we will also not accept the same in future."

Meanwhile, the EC is going to hand the print and electronic media a code of conduct to abide by in covering the parliamentary and upazila elections so that a sense of accountability and propriety is maintained.

The Commission has received a draft copy of the code of conduct from the UNESCO and it would finalise the media rules within a week after necessary vetting.