Wednesday, 26 June 2013 00:22
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By Dharisha Bastians
A trade union to continue the struggle for media rights, professional freedom and job security for journalists was inaugurated yesterday, with the organisation’s office bearers pledging to create broad intellectual discussions on the Government’s proposed media ethics code.
The Sri Lanka Journalists Trade Union (SLJTU) whose executive committee comprises media personnel from print, electronic and new media platforms said it had already garnered an inaugural membership of 50 journalists.
Addressing a media briefing yesterday, SLJTU President Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema said the union had already had preliminary discussions with Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and Media Ministry Secretary Charitha Herath regarding the code of ethics.
“A broad intellectual discussion on the code is necessary. As journalists we have rights and responsibilities. And we need to be involved in the discussion about the issue before the code is formalised,” Abeywickrema said.
The SLJTU President said that they would organise a broad series of discussions on the issue in the coming weeks.
The trade union hopes to intervene in the protection of journalists’ rights and freedoms and will make representations on behalf of media personnel being persecuted or intimidated, Abeywickrema said.
“There are many organisations fighting for media rights and freedoms. Yet the struggle continues, which means there is space and issues left to fight for,” the SLJTU President added.
Meanwhile, SLJTU Secretary Priyantha Karunaratne clarified that the trade union did not intend to confront the management and proprietors of media organisations by their activities. “We will merely discuss issues facing journalists,” he said.
Membership in the SLJTU is open to journalists and other workers in the media industry.
