Govt. poised to introduce legislative measures to control media

• The Mass Media Ministry has been tasked by the government to prepare a new Sri Lankan media policy, paying special attention to the domestic and international laws

By Sandun A. Jayasekera   

The government is in a move to introduce a novel media culture, set of ethics, guidelines and behavioural pattern of journalists and media institutions with the introduction of new legislative measures, the Daily Mirror learns.  

  The government would amend the existing laws applicable to journalists and media institutions and prepare a new set of policies and ethics for the purpose.    Accordingly, the Mass Media Ministry has been tasked by the government to prepare a new Sri Lankan media policy, paying special attention to the domestic and international laws, operation of national laws, operation of national and international media institutions as well as social and cultural identities.   

The government expects to build necessary background for media personalities with the esteemed professional skill, education on the use of media and behaviour of the media including the social media, socialization of knowledge, understanding and communication strategies.   The government would supply the required facilities for digital technology, considering the global trends and development in the mass media and communication fields. The required legislative amendments to existing laws, policies and ethics in regard to media personnel and institutions have been recognized by the government, a policy document presented by Mass Media Minister Dulles Alahapperuma has said.   

The Mass Media Ministry will shortly appoint an expert committee for the purpose and obtain necessary recommendations.   

Meanwhile, former Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunatilake pooh-poohed the idea to introduce new guidelines and ethics for the media and media institutions saying that there were universally accepted ethics, laws and guidelines applied to journalists and media institutions across the world and therefore, Sri Lanka must not worry about this sensitive issue.   

“What necessary is a self-regulatory mechanism for journalists and media institutions as practiced by us for several decades. A number of countries like Australia, Singapore, Pakistan and even the EU have their fingers burned when they attempted to control the media, the social media in particular,” Mr. Karunatilaka who is credited with the introduction of the ‘Right to Information’ (RTI) Act during the yahapalana regime stressed.   

However, it is noteworthy to mention that Health Minister and former Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella maintains that some sort of regulatory framework is vital to prevent the misuse of the media, especially the social media, while Mass Media Minister Dulles Alahapperuma does not condone the idea to control the media in any manner but says self-regulation is the order of the day.