adopted by Newspapers, News Agencies and Journalists
of Bangladesh, 1993
1.It is the responsibility of a journalist to keep
people informed of issues which influence them or attract them. News and
commentaries have to be prepared and published showing full respect to the
sensitivity and individual rights of the newspaper readers as well as the
people.
2.Truth and accuracy in respect of information available shall be ensured.
3.Information received from reliable sources may be
published in public interest induced by honest intention and if facts presented
therein are considered trustworthy by logical consideration, then the
journalist has to be absolved of any adverse consequence for publication of
such news.
4.Reports based on rumors and not supported by facts
shall be verified before publication and if these are considered not suitable
for publication, one should refrain from publication of such news.
5.News items whose contents are dishonest and
baseless or whose publication hinges on breach of trust shall not be published.
6.Newspapers and journalists have the right to express their views strongly on
controversial issues but in doing so:
a. All true events and views shall be expressed clearly.
b. No event shall be distorted in order to influence the readers.
c. No news shall be distorted or slanted dishonestly
either in the main commentary or in the headline.
d. Views on main news shall be presented clearly and
honestly.
7.The editor has the right to publish any
advertisement in newspapers signed by proper authorities, even if it is
apparently against individual interest but not slanderous or against public
interest. If protest is made with regard to such advertisement, the editor
shall print and publish it without any cost.
8.Newspapers shall refrain from publishing any news
which is contemptuous of or disrespectful to caste, creed, nationality and
religion of any individual, community or the country.
9.If a newspaper published any news against the
interest and good name of any individual, agency institution or group of people
or any special category of people, then the newspaper or journalist concerned
should provide opportunity to the aggrieved persons or institutions to publish
their protest or answer quickly and correctly within a reasonable period of
time.
10.If the published news is damaging or is improper, then it should immediately be withdrawn and corrigenda or explanation (and in special cases apology) should be issued so that the impression (bad or erroneous) created by publication of such news is removed.