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The Press Council Act, 1974

( ACT NO. XXV OF 1974 )

Object and functions of the Council
11. (1) The object of the Council shall be to preserve the freedom of the Press and to maintain and improve the standard of newspapers and news agencies in Bangladesh.
 
 
 
 
(2) The Council may, in furtherance of its object, perform the following functions, namely:-
 
 
 
 
(a) to help newspapers and news agencies to maintain their freedom;
 
 
 
 
(b) to build up a code of conduct for newspapers and news agencies and journalists in accordance with high professional standard;
 
 
(c) to ensure on the part of newspapers and news agencies and journalists the maintenance of a high standard of public taste and to foster a due sense of both the rights and responsibilities of citizenship;
 
 
 
 
(d) to encourage the growth of a sense of responsibility and public service among all those engaged in the profession of journalism;
 
 
 
 
(e) to keep under review any development likely to restrict the supply and dissemination of information of public interest and importance;
 
 
 
 
(f) to keep under review cases of assistance received by any newspaper or news agency in Bangladesh from any foreign source including such cases as are referred to it by the Government or are brought to its notice by any individual, association of persons or any other organisation :
 
 
 
 
Provided that nothing in this clause shall preclude the Government from dealing with, in any manner it deems fit, any case of assistance received by a newspaper or news agency in Bangladesh from any foreign source;
 
 
 
 
(g) to undertake studies and research of national and foreign newspapers, their circulation and impact;
 
 
 
 
(h) to provide facilities for proper education and training of persons in the profession of journalism;
 
 
 
 
(i) to promote technical or other research;
 
 
 
 
(j) to promote a proper functional relationship among all classes of persons engaged in the production or publication of newspapers or in the running of news agencies:
 
 
 
 
Provided that nothing in this clause shall be deemed to confer on the Council any function in regard to disputes to which the Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969 (XXIII of 1969), applies;
 
 
 
 
(k) to do such other acts as may be incidental or conducive to the discharge of the above functions.

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