New contempt of court bill soon: Law minister

Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday said the government would soon take up the initiative to pass a fresh contempt of court bill in parliament as the existing Contempt of Court Act 1926 has nearly become redundant due to expansion of the dimensions of media.

Relevant stakeholders will be consulted beforehand, he said as chief guest at a workshop on "Judicial Reporting" organised by Law Reporters' Forum at Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).

In September 2013, the High Court scrapped the Contempt of Court Act 2013 that had given some protection to journalists and government officials, saying the law curtails the court's constitutional powers to deal with contempt cases.

The law minister said journalists have to be cautious while reporting on the judiciary, so that its dignity, prestige and image are upheld. "If the journalists discharge their duties properly, the country will be much benefited," Anisul said.

SCBA Secretary AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon said most government employees were involved in corruption and took bribes. Although their job is to provide services, people have to bribe them for it, he said

Khokon said the chief justice and law minister, lawyers by profession, knew very well the offices of the Supreme Court where lawyers have to pay bribes while processing the filing of a case.

The journalists should report on these activities, he added.

SC lawyer Ahsanul Karim said if any report or article scandalises a judge or a court, it would be considered contempt of court.

Senior journalists Faruq Kazi, Kazi Abdul Hannnan, M Sahiduzzaman, Saleuddin, M Badiuzzaman, Zahid Hossain and Wakil Ahmed also spoke.