• Seeks broader media consultation on Chartered Media Professionals Institute Bill

The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) organisation has urged the Government to establish a National Media Policy before proceeding with media reforms, while calling for wider consultation with media stakeholders on the proposed Institute of Chartered Media Professionals Bill before it is presented to Parliament.

In a statement, the NMSJ’s General Secretary Sunil Jayasekara said that the draft Bill, published in the Gazette on 5 June under the direction of the Mass Media Minister, could have a significant impact on the future of the media sector. He said that discussions held with various parties had raised concerns about the structure of the proposed institution and its potential impact on media freedom and the country's long-established free press culture.

He added that it is particularly important to clarify whether the proposed Institute is intended to function as an incorporated State institution. If that is the case, he claimed, it would not meet the expectations of Sri Lanka's media community for an independent body and could have adverse implications for media freedom.

He also raised concerns about provisions relating to the appointment of the Interim Council, noting that the proposed process, based on recommendations by the Minister and the Ministry Secretary, required broader consultation with media organisations. In this regard, he said that the agreement of key stakeholders, including the Editors' Guild, the Electronic Broadcasters' Association, newspaper publishers and owners, and other media organisations, should be obtained before the Bill is finalised.

The organisation also expressed concern over the composition of the Governing Committee that would take office after the Interim Council's one-year term, particularly the balance between elected and appointed members. It further warned that fixing the quorum at five members could, under certain circumstances, allow decisions to be made by as few as three individuals, which it said warranted careful reconsideration.

The NMSJ urged the Government to take into account the views and proposals of all relevant stakeholders before presenting the Bill to Parliament. It also called on the Government to implement the National Policy that has already been prepared before moving ahead with the country's wider media reform programme.