Proposed Chartered Institute of media professionals to develop and maintain media standards

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Colombo, July 23 (Daily Mirror) - The proposed Chartered Institute of Media Professionals is vested with powers to introduce, develop, maintain and monitor professional standards in the field of media, the Bill to this effect which was tabled in Parliament said.

Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka Bill also provides provisions for the said institute to liaise and coordinate with local and foreign institutions having similar objectives to that of the institute.

The institute will be given powers to prepare a code of conduct in order to maintain professional discipline among its members.

The Chartered Institute of Media Professionals will function as a professional organization for professionals in the field of media. One of its main objectives is to enhance the standards, skills and practical training of its members, students of the institute and media professionals. It will also engage in accrediting media professionals after an evaluation,

It will conduct study courses for media personnel for which a fee will be charged.

The institute will also have the power to advise the media minister on any plan, programme or activity aimed at enhancing media professionalism in Sri Lanka.

The proposed institute will be governed by a council of elected members, but there will be an interim council which includes a secretary to the ministry of media, six other persons who will have proven knowledge, eminence and at least 20 years of experience in the media nominated by the secretary of the Media Ministry.