Tribunal cautions TV stations on running 'breaking news' before orders

Bangladesh's first war crimes tribunal has asked TV journalists to be "cautious and responsible" about running 'breaking news' even before the court announces its verdicts.

International Crimes Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice M Enayetur Rahim issued the warning on Monday before delivering verdict on Brahmanbaria Razakar commander Mobarak Hossain alias Mobarak Ali.

Several TV stations ran 'breaking news' on Sunday claiming Hossain's verdict was due on Monday when they found the case had been included in the court's cause list.

However, an official announcement on the verdict's date came around 20 minutes later.

Mobarak has been sentenced to death for war crimes.

In his brief speech before delivering the sentence, Justice Rahim said the reporters should "maintain caution" while reporting on court matters.

"[You] should not do anything that challenges the court's authority or purview," he said.

He asked everyone to be more careful and responsible in future on the matter.

About Sunday's TV reports, he said they should have used "verdict likely tomorrow" instead of specifying the verdict day.

Senior reporter Faruk Kazi informed the tribunal that the 'Law Reporters' Forum' had asked journalists to report the issue with caution.

“Every court has separate rules for covering verdicts. The High Court has one set of rules, the Appellate Division has another. But the tribunal has no such rules,” Kazi pointed out.

He stated that while delivering its first sentence, the tribunal had said it would announce verdict dates a day ahead.

That is why it was assumed on Sunday that the verdict would be delivered the following day after finding the case on the cause list.

Tribunal member Justice Jahangir Hossain asked, "If we had issued an order yesterday (Sunday) shifting the verdict to [Nov] 30, then what message would your report have sent to the people?"

Senior reporter Faruk Kazi informed the tribunal that the 'Law Reporters' Forum' had asked journalists to report the issue with caution.

“Every court has separate rules for covering verdicts. The High Court has one set of rules, the Appellate Division has another. But the tribunal has no such rules,” Kazi pointed out.

He stated that while delivering its first sentence, the tribunal had said it would announce verdict dates a day ahead.

That is why it was assumed on Sunday that the verdict would be delivered the following day after finding the case on the cause list.

Tribunal member Justice Jahangir Hossain asked, "If we had issued an order yesterday (Sunday) shifting the verdict to [Nov] 30, then what message would your report have sent to the people?"