Govt. to introduce mechanism to regulate social media

Dissemination of false information and promotion of racism

Minister of Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella told the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media on Saturday that a proper mechanism to regulate websites would be introduced within the next two weeks.

A member of the Committee MP Suren Raghavan said the promotion of racism and dissemination of false information through social media should be curbed. Minister of Education Prof. G. L Peiris said that a new law had been passed in Singapore to control such matters and that such legislation should be studied prior to formulation of a new mechanism here.

Rambukwella said that the Press Council Act should be amended to help protect the dignity of the citizens and that the rights of all citizens should be protected by the media.

MP Prof. Charitha Herath said that the amendments to the Press Council Act had been discussed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media. He also said that a proper mechanism should be formulated to regulate television and radio as well.

SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara said that there was a need to reactivate the self-regulatory system for media institutions, which was discussed in 2015.

Discussions were also held regarding resuming the telecast of Parliamentary sessions through Channel Eye of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. The Committee also focused on the importance of recognising journalists as professionals, the establishment of a minimum wage scheme for journalists, deploying graduates in Mass Communication to related vacancies, and the appointment of teachers to teach Mass Media as a subject.

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella pointed out that six chairmen had been appointed to the Independent Television Network (ITN) during the last four years. By 2014 ITN was the number one channel according to surveys but the state media institutions were running at a loss during the previous regime. It would take two years to make them profit-making ventures, he said.

The Minister said that providing educational scholarships to journalists and media equipment at concessionary rates along with multiple welfare activities would be implemented.

Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media Jagath P. Wijeweera informed the committee that an insurance scheme for journalists would be introduced along with the establishment of a journalism college in the coming year.