Laws applicable to journalists & media to be amended?

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers has given the green light to amend the existing laws applicable to journalists and media institutions and to prepare the necessary policies and ethics.

A document from the Department of Government Information said that attention was drawn to preparing a Sri Lankan Media Policy by paying special attention to the laws, international laws, operations of national and international media institutions as well as their social and cultural identities.

It added that there was a need on building the necessary background to present media personalities with esteemed professional skills, education on the use and behavior of 

media including the social media, socialization of knowledge, understanding and communication strategies, and supplying required facilities for digital technology considering the global trends and developments in the mass media and communication fields.

"For this purpose, the requirement to amend existing laws policies and ethics in regard to media personnel and mass media institutions has been recognized," it added.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution forwarded by the Minister of Mass Media to appoint a committee with representations of individuals having experience in the fields such as media, marketing, education, law, administration, and economy in order to table recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers for performing the aforesaid activities.