HC directs media not to publish child’s identity in criminal cases

The High Court (HC) today warned The Daily Star for revealing identity of a child convict while publishing report on November 5, 2018, and directed all other media not to repeat such things in future.

A High Court division bench comprising Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil came up with the caution after holding hearing on a writ petition filed in this regard, reports BSS.

“The Daily Star done wrong by publishing name and address of a child convict and by its choice of words in that case. So the court has warned the daily.

Besides, the court has directed all the media not to reveal children’s name, photo or addresses while publishing reports,” Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman, who filed a writ in this regard, told BSS.

Aided by Shagufta Tabassum Ahmed, Barrister Suman moved the writ before court, while Qazi Ershadul Alam stood for the English daily.

“The Daily Star on November 5 published a report titled ‘Boy gets 10 yrs for killing classmate’ and revealed the identity of the convict, who was a child. It was the clear violence of Children Act, 2013. That is why I filed the writ,” Barrister Suman added.