Contempt rule against two dailies

The High Court has issued a contempt rule against vernacular dailies 'Dainik Samakal' and 'Naya Diganta,' reports bdnews24.com.

The newspapers had run reports based on statements by several organisations demanding withdrawal of Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud's comments during a court hearing.

Justice Naima Haider and Justice Zafar Ahmed asked Sunday why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against the editors, publishers and printers of both the dailies.

Dhaka Reporters Unity's president and general secretary have been ordered to appear before the court to explain their statements on demanding withdrawal of Mahmud's statement.

The same bench had summoned Mizanur Rahman Khan of 'Prothom Alo' to hear a contempt ruling for two of his articles.

In Thursday's hearing, Mahmud had made comments on the mass media and journalism.

On Saturday, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka University Journalists Association, Jagannath University Journalists Association and Barisal Division Journalists Association issued separate statements.

Samakal and Naya Diganta ran reports using the statements in their Sunday's editions.

Mahmud brought the articles to the court's notice after which the bench issued a contempt rule.