The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission (EC) will finalise a code of conduct for the mass media in consultation with media personalities to ensure objectivity of news coverage during the forthcoming elections.

The decision was taken at a a views-exchange meeting with representatives of the Commission with senior journalists held at the National Economic Council (NEC) auditorium with Chief Election Commissioner Dr Shamsul Huda in the chair.

To this end, the EC formed a 4-member committee headed by ATN Bangla Chief Adviser Saiful Bari. The other members of the committee include Shaikh Siraj, Amir Khasru, JI Mamun and EC Public Relations Officer SM Asaduzamman.

The committee would give suggestions for finalising the guidelines for the media to cover news during the ensuing polls.

A draft copy indicating ideas and format of the media code was provided by the UNESCO to the Commission.

The CEC asked the committee to submit their suggestions within seven days to the Commission to finalise the code of conduct for the media.

He also sought cooperation from newsmen as some senior journalists termed the EC's efforts of formulating such a code of conduct a tactic to control the press.

The CEC mentioned that the political parties proposed to the EC during their talks to formulate such a code of conduct to ensure neutrality and transparency in election news coverage.

He, however, assured that the EC would finalise the code of conduct after discussion with senior journalists.

Election Commissioners M Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain and EC Secretary M Humayun Kabir were present at the meeting.