Online Safety Bill A beneficial step towards country’s future: Vajira

• Claims many suicides took place over the recent past due to breaking up of relationships via social media

By Yohan Perera

The proposed ‘Online Safety Bill’ will prevent large scale public insults of people and subsequent suicides, a government MP said.   “It is evident that most youth have come under great stress due to the influence of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. Many suicides took place over the recent past due to the breaking up of relationships via social media, which has led to the youth accepting that social media platforms must be regulated,” MP Vajira Abeywardena told a media briefing.

The MP made the following remarks on the proposed legislation.   
“A Bill to establish the Online Safety Commission; to make provisions to prohibit online communication of certain statements of fact in Sri Lanka; to prevent the use of online accounts and inauthentic online accounts for prohibited purposes; to make provisions to identify and declare online locations used for prohibited purposes in Sri Lanka; to suppress the financing and other support of communication of false statements of fact and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.” (Online Safety Bill)   

Information technology is a field which gained rapid progress both in the world and in Sri Lanka. Modes of sending messages have also evolved over time. The future of the country relies on the distribution of information to both the learned and uneducated population of a country. The media thus, plays a key role as the population both in Sri Lanka and elsewhere in the world, rely on information propagated through it.   Media evolution in Sri Lanka took place after 1978, after the establishment of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. Previously Mr. Shan Wickremesinghe, the elder brother of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, had established ITN although it did not have island-wide coverage. It was thereafter, taken over by the government. After 1978, a large number of TV channels and radio stations commenced operations. All media channels were controlled through the Rupavahini Act, which was completely arbitrary, and was not a conducive environment for the development of the media.   
Developed countries in the world have established codes to regulate the distribution of correct information to their citizens. For example, Singapore’s Broadcasting Regulatory Authority Bill has greatly enhanced Singapore’s development.   

Even though Sri Lanka’s Broadcast Regulatory Authority Bill is an important piece of legislation, it is comparatively weaker than the Singapore Broadcasting Regulations. It is commonplace that there would be various views regarding this. It is time to stop the devastation of the country through the propagation of false information.   
Countries across the globe have taken steps to prevent the damage caused by the spreading of misinformation, and to take action against those who propagate false news. This is essential for the progress of a educated and developed society.   

Therefore, the role of Sri Lanka’s media must be strengthened in order for Sri Lanka to enhance its status in the world. It is essential that all media stations in Sri Lanka study the Broadcasting Regulations of Singapore, which gives the government the right to issue broadcasting licences, cancel broadcasting licences and take action against the spreading of misinformation. This has led to these countries becoming developed nations.   
Even when looking at it from a political angle, the political culture of spreading falsehoods needs to stop. It is also a responsibility of the media to refrain from hiding the truth. Thereby, regulating all print and broadcasting information is essential for the growth of both the media and the country. Implementing the Broadcast Regulatory Authority Bill in Sri Lanka, will be a beneficial step towards the country’s future.    All media and the citizens of the country must bear in mind that regulating the media would lead to strengthening it and not controlling it. The distribution of correct information is of great benefit to the country. All media entities must also contribute their ideas, suggestions and also present their methods of curbing the spread of false information. Therefore, it is essential to note that Sri Lanka needs to present a united front in global issues such as the present conflict in the Gaza Strip, as a result of tensions between Israel and Palestine. If any racial or religious divisions are instigated, it will result in the destruction of the country.   

Singapore is a prime example when one takes a look at the conflict in the Gaza region, as Singapore has stood as a united country. Japan too has presented a united stance.Sri Lankans too must stand united as Sri Lankans. It is only then that Sri Lankans will be able to have a secure future.   
Our neighbouring country India has also banned 58 social media apps including Tiktok, which has been stated as a security measure taken by the government, although public opinion on the matter is that it is a retaliatory measure taken by India against the India - China conflict which took place in the Himalayan region. However, it is notable that India has managed to successfully land a mission on the moon. This is an example that a disciplined society is able to reach success.   

China introduced a ban on Facebook, Twitter and Google services since July 2009.This was initially a means of disconnecting communication in China’s self- ruled Xinjian Province. The communication app We Chat was introduced as an alternative method. Tiktok which is a social media platform initiated in China has also been banned by the Chinese government. North Korea has taken similar measures. Iran has introduced an Iranian form of internet. Other countries such as Singapore and Turkey have also taken steps to strengthen their position in the world.   

It is evident that a number of politicians seem to be talking about countries such as India, Japan, Singapore, China, Malaysia and South Korea, and how these countries have become developed nations. However, no attention seems to be paid to the regulatory frameworks of these countries which have enabled them to become developed countries. These countries have strong regulatory frameworks including their constitutions. Thereby, Sri Lanka needs to regulate its irregular media culture, for the betterment of both the media and the society. The new “Online Safety Bill’ would prevent defamatory statements, propagation of falsehoods, and the destruction of persons’ characters.   

I would like to state that this is an important step with regard to strengthening Sri Lanka’s status in the world.