COLOMBO – Sri Lanka will extend a controversial Press Council law enacted in 1973 to electronic and media, according to a decision by the Cabinet of Ministers.
The Department of Government Information in statement said the Cabinet of Ministers had approved a decision to “structurally reform and reorganize” the Press Council to cover electronic and new media, though it did not specify what is considered new media.
Minister of Media Keheliya Rambukwella could not be reached for comment.
Noting that the Sri Lanka Press Council had been established by the Sri Lanka Press Council Law No 05 of 1973 with the objective of preventing any prejudice to the public through press coverage and to establish a cordial relationship between journalists and the public, the statement said the provisions of the Act are restricted to the newspaper only.
“ It has been identified that the Press Council should be structurally reformed and reorganized covering electronic, print and new media as a tribunal for journalists and media institutions and as a centre that promotes media education,” it said, adding that the media ministry would be setting up a Committee of Experts to make recommendations.
It said views of the public and civil society organizations would also be sought.
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