Sri Lankan Government to meet broadcasters on controversial bill

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Justice Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the proposed Broadcasting Regulatory Commission legislation that grants statutory power to imprison journalists, impose fines on them, and to even revoke the licenses issued to broadcasters, will be discussed with the media institutions on the 7th of June 2023. 

The drafting of the legislation establishing a ‘Broadcast Authority’ was carried out by a cabinet appointed subcommittee, led by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

What is the new piece of legislation that Sri Lanka is trying to introduce for the media?

According to the document prepared by the Cabinet-appointed Subcommittee led by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, something very serious is being prepared with regard to the media.

It proposes for the establishment of a Broadcasting Regulatory Commission consisting of five members, the commission will appoint its own investigating committee.

If reports detriment to national security, national economy, and public order, are published by broadcasters, the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission will be able to revoke and temporarily suspend the license of the broadcaster.

In addition, the Investigating Committee of the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission will have the power to obtain a court order and raid media institutions.

If the proposed legislation is passed in its original form, a complaint would not even be necessary to launch an investigation on a media institution. (READ MORE)

Former BASL President, President's Counsel Saliya Peiris expressed serious concern over the proposed legislation.

"This can pose a threat to revoke licenses if the government is not pleased with the reports of a media entity, or if the government has an issue with regard to the criticism," he said.

"This commission will also have the power to ensure that  true and accurate information is being provided by the service provider. So, what is the truth? If a service provider says, here is the truth and the government is engaged in fraud and corruption, the commission can say that is not the case, and reporting it is not the truth. So, who will regulate truth from false? The viewers must decide truth from false. That is the freedom to think. The only way to control the freedom to think is to block the flow of information," he further remarked during the Mawatha discussion program on Sirasa TV.

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