Journalists not bound to disclose source of info: HC

Staff Reporter :
In the full text of a verdict the High Court has observed that the laws of Bangladesh have given protection to the journalists in not disclosing the source of information of their news.
The High Court Bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo passed the observation after hearing a Suo Moto (voluntary) rule issued earlier on a report published by a Bengali daily.
The report was made about the corruption allegation against former Public Works Department Engineer Ashraful Alam and his wife Sabiha Alam, and ACC exempted them from the allegation. It mentioned that Tk 20 crore was spent to get rid of the allegations. Considering the report the HC on March 8, 2021 issued the rule.
After final hearing on the rule the High Court on June 21 this year delivered the short verdict on the issue and the full text was released on Sunday.
In the full text, the HC observed that the journalists act as the fourth pillar of democracy and consequently, serve the nation.
“They are the part and parcel of democratic process. In a modern world, right to information is being treated as one of the preconditions for expression of opinion. Journalists act as helping hands for ensuring rule of law and democracy which have been recognised as the basic structure of the Constitution,” read the verdict.
The court said, in the present age, corruption is present in all walks of life. Newspapers play an important role in highlighting the menace of corruption and thereby the people are made aware of the corrupt practices.
It also said, “They (journalists) work as watchdogs and in appropriate situation; they ventilate information not to undermine any person but to serve the cause of justice. In a democracy, there should be an efficient and fearless press to act as watchdog of democracy.
But of course, yellow Journalism is always disapproved, discarded and not appreciated at all. Newspaper should concentrate on giving only the true picture of the society. Corruption is now a universal phenomenon. It is as old as our human society.
So, under the above facts and circumstances and the propositions of law, we have no hesitation to hold the view that the laws have given protection to the journalists in not disclosing the source of information.”