P’ment Oversight Committee to formulate Code of Conduct on breaking news

Wednesday, 10 July 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left: MP Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, MP Dr. Thusitha Wijemanne and State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

Decision taken after insensitive media reporting harming children and women

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

– Our Lobby Correspondent

Sectoral Oversight Committee on Women and Gender met yesterday in the Parliament complex and decided to bring in a code of conduct for breaking news, which is harmful to female victims and their immediate family members.

During the discussion headed by United National Party MP Dr. Thusitha Wijemanna, the committee agreed to evaluate all media and classify the advertisements, news, dramas, shows, and movies according to the level of damage and violations.

Addressing the gathering, MP Wijemanna held that it is necessary to have a code of conduct and laws to guide media. “It is necessary to determine the impact with a group of experts including all stakeholders. A set of guidelines will be self-regulated in terms of women and children in media,” she said.

However, State Minister of Finance Earn Wickramaratne taking part in the committee meeting held self-regulation will help media establishments to uphold the rights of women and children. “A recent news item that showed a recording of a child who lost her father right in front of her is traumatising. The seniors in media organisations should guide the media personel with less experience to honour the rights of others,” he explained.