• SLWJA also notes lack of institutional professional recognition 

In Sri Lanka, journalists, according to media activists, do not receive an adequate salary and recognition that matches their professional status from any institution, which has resulted in various obstacles that affect this profession and journalists.

This was noted by the Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association’s President Duminda Sampath, who spoke about the challenges and priorities in relation to journalism in a context where the World Press Freedom Day falls today (3). He told The Daily Morning that due to the above-said situation, journalists are in a situation where they find it extremely difficult to continue their profession.

“Journalists always talk about others’ issues. But, we have been unable to create a proper platform to talk about our own issues,” Sampath observed, adding that this situation has affected the journalists’ ability to perform their duties.

He added that journalists require skills, tools and safety improving programmes from media institutions. He expressed concerns that due to various new laws and regulations posing obstructions to the freedoms of speech and expression, an environment is being created in Sri Lanka where journalists cannot work freely. They note that due to this situation, not only journalists but also the public fear to express their opinions freely. Pointing out the recently passed Online Safety Act (which is scheduled to be amended, according to the Government) as an example, Sampath said that these laws restrict the media to an extent where they cannot call a thief a thief. In such an environment, he added, journalists are forced to self regulate to evade punishment.

“Everyone in the journalism sector should collectively devise a programme to protect the professionalism of journalists. Otherwise, the successful continuation of journalism would become problematic, because the trust kept by the public in the media is likely to decline due to certain forms of reportage,” he added, noting that in that process, journalists need a programme that enables them to work in accordance with a code of ethics and develop professionalism.

Sampath further said that improving journalists’ ability to effectively use technology is a need of the hour, and that such should receive the relevant parties’ attention.