Journalists demand withdrawal of media regulatory bill

The draft bill to establish a regulatory authority for media professionals must be withdrawn immediately as it is designed to suppress rather than protect press freedom.

The Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association issued this warning in a recent statement, noting that whilst the media community long discussed the need for an independent body to safeguard the rights of journalists, the proposal unveiled by the government reveals an agenda rooted in media suppression.

Any such authority must remain independent and dedicated to promoting freedom, welfare, professionalism, ethics, and media education, rather than being controlled by political interests.

Several provisions in the draft bill place the proposed authority under direct government control.

These include granting full powers to the Minister of Media to appoint an interim council, broad disciplinary powers to investigate professional misconduct and suspend journalists, and monopoly powers for the minister to draft regulations.

The definition of media professionals within the bill also subjects writers, editors, announcers, publishers, owners, managers, and cameramen to the control of the authority.

The proposed structure would create a police force to punish journalists rather than an institution to promote professionalism.

The bill further undermines independence by requiring ministerial approval for foreign aid and by mandating the authority to advise the minister on media education.

The government is attempting to introduce this legislation whilst simultaneously utilising laws like the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Official Safety Act against artists, writers, and journalists.

Recent examples include the arrest of Tamil singers and youth, the seizure of books written by Tamil authors, and the summoning of editors to the Criminal Investigation Department after they exposed government misconduct.

The winds of state suppression chasing journalists and media owners will only grow stronger if this authority is implemented under government control.

The entire media community, across Sinhala, Tamil, and English sectors, must unite to demand a regulatory authority operating within an independent framework completely free from state interference.