Govt. to establish media regulatory body

By Shanika Sriyananda

The Government is to establish a Media Regulatory Commission to promote a responsible media culture in the country.

Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka said that the Government had given the media full freedom to criticise the government but some media institutions acted in an irresponsible manner in the reporting of the certain incidents.

“We will set up the Media Regulatory Commission not to suppress media but for the betterment of the profession, which needs to be practiced ethically and responsibly,” he told the Daily FT.

Karunathilaka said the ministry would consult all stakeholders to establish the media regulatory body to restructure the present system.

He said when comparing the situations faced by media during the previous regime and now, it was clear that the media was guaranteed full freedom to express their views.

“No incidents of attacking, harming or killing of journalists have been reported so far after we came into power. We will not allow such incidents to happen during our tenure,” Karunathilaka said.

However, a few days ago, President Maithripala Sirisena urged all media institutions to maintain a responsible media culture and not to mislead people. “Some of the private media institutions work for an agenda of the political and cultural concepts of their owners. But it is their responsibility to use the given media freedom for the betterment of the country in a professional manner,” he said.

Media Minister Karunathilaka said that the government wanted media to criticise the government as balance and ethical criticisms would correct the mistakes of the government.

He said unlike during the previous regime, the government had given ordered to media Heads on what to write and what not to write. “We have given them the full freedom to decide on what to publish or telecast,” he explained.

“But, today what we have observed is that some of the media institutions are carrying out false propaganda targeting the government. They do this to achieve their personnel agendas. This is ethically wrong,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, he requested all media institutions to engage in responsible media reporting as their viewers or readers expect to have balance views.