Ensuring a free media:

Report the truth - Gayantha

Interviewed by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Minister of Parliamentary Reforms and Media, Gayantha Karunathilaka deeming media freedom is one of the achievements of the January 8 ‘silent revolution’ said, the Sword of Damocles was no longer hanging over the head of media men. Today they can express their views without hindrance, he said in this interview with the Sunday Observer.

Excerpts:

Q: Are you pleased that you got the same, yet challenging portfolio ?

A: I am happy that I have been given the same portfolio once again which shows that President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have confidence that I have fulfilled my task as Media Minister. This Ministry has a direct impact on the government and the people.

Q: What are your priorities this time around ? Will the Right to Information(RTI) Bill be a priority?

A: We have made arrangements to bring the RTI Bill. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has also laid special emphasis on this Bill. President, Prime Minister and the Government are also committed to give priority to pass legislation as pledged. The government will present the Bill as early as possible. The Bill would ensure media freedom, which is the biggest benefit that we have given to journalists. When we came to power on January 8, there was no media freedom in the country. Media freedom had hit rock bottom. Media freedom is ensured under President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe

In the near future, we will take the initiative to promote media freedom. We have already commenced several programs for the welfare of journalists. We have identified 110 acres in Diyagama, Homagama, to construct 1,500 houses for journalists. The Cabinet paper I submitted during the previous government was approved by Cabinet. Approval for estimates and the project plan has also been passed. We have also formulated a program to provide duty free motorcycles to journalists. Many journalists have applied. We will commence this program soon. We would take the initiative to promote a balanced media culture.

Q: You have already won praise as the State-owned print and electronic media are more balanced in their coverages now. What steps will you take to ensure this remains so?

A: After the January 8 Presidential election, we formed a government and faced a parliamentary election a couple of months later. Even during the General Election campaign, we maintained a balanced media policy. Even the people didn’t expect the State media to be balanced. If we maintain this balanced media policy, those who distanced themselves from the State media would also switch to it.

Q: There is a Code of Ethics for the print media, formulated by the industry. Are you looking at a similar mechanism for the electronic media too ?

A: It is appropriate that the media itself should have some sort of regulatory mechanism. We hope the media would resort to self censhorship without confining itself to rules and regulations. The media has a more vital role to play in society. That is why I call upon the media to report the truth without blowing it out of proportion. Then there won’t be any issues and it would benefit readers and the media as well.

Q:Talking of industry regulations, what was the need to reactivate the Press Council when the industry body, the Sri Lanka Press Complaints Commission is already there ?

A: I am confident that we would go for a new methodology soon. We would inform the media about future actions to be taken in this regard.

Q:You also hold the Parliamentary Reforms portfolio, which is a new subject. When do you hope to resume the live telecast of parliamentary proceedings?

A:New responsibilities have been incorporated into the Parliamentary Reforms portfolio. We hope to discuss the matter with the Speaker on the live telecast of parliamentary proceedings. The approval of the Speaker is necessary for the purpose. We have focused attention on this.

A committee will be introduced where parliamentarians will be held responsible for their actions. The Prime Minister has innovative ideas to develop the parliamentary sector. We hope to obtain expertise from the European parliamentary system. We would also study ways and means to provide more facilities to parliamentarians.

Q: What are the plans for starting digital high definition TV and radio broadcasts ?

A: We hope to give priority to this subject this year. We need to rectify certain technical issues. The Japanese government has also extended its support to introduce this mechanism. We would also study the latest technology.

Q: Many irregularities have been reported about certain private channels including CSN. What action will you take in this regard ?

A: We have appointed internal committees and obtained reports on each state media institution. If legal action is to be taken regarding fraud and irregularities, we would take action based on these committee recommendations.

Q:There is much talk about a new media culture. What is needed for that transformation and what steps will the government take in this regard?

A: There is a new political culture now. This would help to make changes in the prevailing media culture as well. After January 8, steady progress has been made in all key sectors. Our intention is to continue this healthy environment.

Q:What is the government doing to expedite investigations on the killing of Lasantha Wickrematunga, disappearance of Prageeth Ekneligoda, attacks on Sirasa and Siyatha TV stations and many other attacks on journalists and media organisations ?

A: Legal action will be taken regarding each incident. At present investigations on these incidents have begun.

Q: How will the government enhance training for journalists?

A: This is an essential component for journalists. This as an urgent requirement. In the future, we hope to get the requisite facilities.Training is essential for journalists because there is a lack of training opportunities.

We hope to provide systematic training for journalists and upgrade their professional standards to the level of journalists in developed countries.

Q: Only a few exiled journalists have returned and is any attempt being made to bring the rest?

A: When I assumed duties as Media Minister, I called upon exiled journalists to return to Sri Lanka as the climate has been created for them to freely engage in their work.

Most of the exiled journalists responded positively to my request and returned to Sri Lanka.

Some maybe still in foreign countries due to the education of their children. They are free to return to Sri Lanka at any time and enjoy the current media freedom.

Q: Sri Lanka is ranked 165 in the World Press Freedom Index. Do you hope to see an improvement in this situation next year with the restoration of press freedom?

A: Definitely, we would improve this situation even more next year. Sri Lanka will then be ranked in a higher position in the World Press Freedom Index.