Contempt of court

Shafiqul Islam, NY
Freedom of press, freedom of speech and freedom of expression are important rights of citizens in any democracy. So, we believe, everyone has right to exercise these rights as his inherent right. I also I believe in the right to information and making it public is the press freedom. The press has the right to mould the information to a certain extent and put it before the public. The press has also right to publish verdicts of courts, criticise and question rulings. A newly emerging democracy, compared to other old democracies already established long before, is not that bad in Bangladesh. Here we can see hundreds of dailies, weeklies, monthlies and many private tv channels which are regularly printing, airing opinions and publishing news items on their individual choices. Private TV channels are projecting talk shows, interviews of different political believers. Debates are being aired on regular basis allowing the participants to express their individual opinions without any hindrances or guidance. There are nearly 100 political parties in Bangladesh, the highest in the world I believe. Most of them have their own mouthpieces So, we must say, as an emerging democracy, this trend is absolutely favourable. But publishing concocted stories to create rivalry among the conflicting supporters, assassination of characters without digging the roots do not fall within the right of "freedom of press". Big headlines of a hollow news story and imaginary news items not an honest service to the press. I think everyone should maintain restraint in exercising his or her rights.