Opposition leader says enacting media regulations not up to Govt. or politicians

Friday, 9 June 2023 03:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Police and anti-government demonstrators and university students clash during a protest demanding the release of student leaders and against the privatisation of education and health, in Colombo on 7 June. – AFP

Says regulations must be formulated by media itself as seen in developed nations
Claims Govt. is trying to suppress the media through various provisions
Requests media representatives to formulate their own proposal which is acceptable to all

Opposition parties led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met with representatives of media organisations on Wednesday to discuss concerns relating to the proposed Broadcasting Authorities Act.

The meeting held at the parliament premises was attended by organisation heads and representatives of all licenced electronic media institutions and media associations where the proposed legislation was discussed at length.

Premadasa expressed the opposition’s objections against the legislation. He also took the opportunity to elaborate on the possible obstacles and effects it may have on the independence of the media.

He opined that any regulation of media should come from the media itself and it was not up to a Government or politicians to decide or introduce such laws.

Premadasa requested the media representatives to study the Bills from countries with advanced media traditions in the world and prepare a proposal that can be accepted by all.

The leader of the opposition said that the government is trying to suppress the media through various provisions and stressed that media cannot be censored for any reason and that freedom of the media is essential in a democratic society.

The meeting was also attended by opposition MP Prof. Charitha Herath who heads the opposition committee to study the proposed Broadcasting Authority Bill.

Herath said that TRC Act No. 26 of 1996 has also been included in the proposed Act and it is an extremely serious situation. He also raised concerns about the appointment and composition of the members of the authority.

Opposition MP Prof. G.L. Peiris called on the organisations to reject the Bill in its entirety. He said the proposed legislation is also in violation of the country’s constitution.

MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Lakshman Kiriella, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Tissa Attanayake, Imtiaz Bakeer Marker, Gayantha Karunathileka, Dr. Harsha De Silva, Eran Wickramaratne, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Chandima Weerakkodi, Prof. Charita Herath, Wasantha Yapa Bandara and others were also present at the meeting.