Should journos be registered?

Doctors, engineers, chartered accountants and lawyers must obtain professional certification before practising. Journalism, however, has no universally accepted registration or certification system in Bangladesh, raising questions over who should be formally recognised as a journalist.

Media professionals say the absence of clear standards has allowed some people to misuse the identity of journalism for extortion, blackmail and the spread of false information. They argue that a recognised framework could help distinguish professional journalists from impostors.

Some also believe journalists should have minimum educational qualifications and professional training because of the sensitive nature of their work.

A journalist, requesting anonymity, told The New Nation that smartphones and social media had made it easy for anyone to claim to be a journalist by opening a Facebook page, YouTube channel or online portal.

He said some people use media identity cards and microphones without basic training, ethical knowledge or adequate education, contributing to rumours and poor-quality journalism.

Press freedom advocates, however, warn that mandatory government registration could restrict freedom of expression and independent journalism.

Article 39 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, speech and the press. Critics argue that allowing a state authority to decide who qualifies as a journalist could be used to exclude critical voices.

In countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway and Sweden, governments generally do not issue mandatory licences to journalists. Press cards are usually provided by media organisations or professional associations.

Bangladesh’s Press Information Department issues accreditation cards to professional journalists for access to government institutions and events. Similar accreditation systems operate in India and Pakistan.

International press freedom groups generally oppose mandatory licensing of journalists, although limited accreditation may be used for security or restricted-access purposes.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury said the rise of untrained people presenting themselves as journalists had damaged the profession.

“Anyone with a mobile phone now claims to be a journalist. Some create their own cards, open Facebook pages and spread rumours using a microphone,” he told The New Nation.

He said a verified list of journalists was needed to protect professional dignity and help organisations such as the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust determine who qualifies for assistance.

Chowdhury suggested that media organisations could submit names for registration based on agreed educational and professional criteria.

An earlier attempt to introduce journalist registration was made by then Bangladesh Press Council chairman Justice Momtaz Uddin Ahmed in January 2017, but the initiative was withdrawn.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon recently told Parliament that the government was committed to media freedom, professionalism, accountability and responsible journalism.

He said the government had proposed amendments to the Press Council Act, 1974, to make the council more effective and responsive to contemporary media challenges.

The proposed changes include minimum educational qualifications and a journalist registration system similar to the Bangladesh Bar Council.

They also propose financial penalties for false, harassing or unethical reports and would allow the Press Council to investigate rumours, fake news, hate speech and other harmful content on its own initiative.

At a Press Accreditation Committee meeting on July 23, the minister said a competent authority was needed to determine who should be recognised as a journalist.

The debate now centres on whether professional registration can improve accountability without giving the government excessive control over the media.