The Sri Lankan government, which is at the bottom of the international index on media freedom, has called on the people to formulate a citizen – based media policy.
A press release issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information on Sunday, February 7 states that the Press Council of Sri Lanka established by the Press Council of Sri Lanka Act No. 05 of 1973 “Structurally Reforms electronic Journalism, print Journalism and new media journalism Journalism We hope to reorganize as. ”
It does not specify how it becomes “citizen-based.”
The Ministry of Mass Media and Information has decided to seek the views and suggestions of civilians, including journalists, to amend the existing Act.
Therefore, timely proposals for inclusion in the Amendment Bill should be submitted to the Working Committee for Preparation of the relevant Bill before 15th March 2021 to the Secretary, Ministry of Mass Media, No. 163, Azidisi Medura, Kirulapone Mawatha, Polhengoda, Colombo 5 or below. The Ministry of Mass Media and Information has requested for fax and email addresses.
The Ministry of Mass Media and Information further stated that the Sri Lanka Press Council Act No. 5 of 1973 can be downloaded from the Ministry of Mass Media or the official website of the Sri Lanka Press Council.
The Ministry of Mass Media and Information has not explained how the comments received will be reviewed.
Sri Lanka is ranked 127th out of 180 countries in the Global Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.
