PM: Media commission crucial for media standards
by Dhaneshi Yatawara
Establishing an effective media commission and an Independent
Broadcasting Commission is crucial to uphold media principles
particularly in the private media sector, said Prime Minister Ranil
Wickramasinghe. He emphasised the need for the state-owned media to
practice unbiased reporting.
"Today, the State media and large media houses pose a threat to media
freedom," the Premier added.
"The state must actively promote and strengthen civil society which
was subjected to suppression in the last decade," the Premier said. He
emphasised the need to create a culture where democratic institutions
flourish.
He was delivering the Sujata Jayawardena memorial oration organised
by the Alumni Organisation of the Colombo University on "Strengthening
Democratic Institutions".
Comparing the current situation with the past decade, Premier
Wickremesinghe added that the media, being intimidated and eliminated
was a striking feature of a totalitarian society said he. Commenting on
the political culture that existed in the last decade, Prime Minister
Wickremesinghe added that it was the social media which played a huge
role in ensuring the right to report when the conventional media failed.
He elaborated on safeguarding these democratic organisations by
establishing a layer consisting of members selected from civil society
who were not affiliated to political parties. This layer should be
powered to advise Parliament and the Government and refer Bills back for
reconsideration by Parliament.
"Similarly, laws must also ensure that civil society should not
promote ethnic and religious disharmony or promote violence," he added. |