International mission examines media situation in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), together with International Media Support (IMS) and the Open Society Foundation, is organising  an International Assessment Mission to Sri Lanka with leading media development and advocacy organisations from 8 – 14 May

The Mission comprises senior level representatives from Article 19, Centre for Law and Democracy in Canada, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Open Society Foundation, South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN), UNESCO and IMS. During the seven days, the mission members will meet key political leaders, senior government officials and media industry stakeholders in Sri Lanka, as well as have consultations with academics, media researchers and civil society groups. This visit also includes a visit to Jaffna to meet a cross section of journalists and academics in the North.

The Mission coincides with the National Media Summit organised by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information, University of Colombo, SLPI and IMS, scheduled for 13-14 May at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo. Based on stakeholder consultations, the Mission plans to assess the media situation in Sri Lanka and identify the main challenges, opportunities and needs. This process will result in specific recommendations to be discussed further at the National Media Summit, and to be considered for international support in media sector reforms and development, the release added. The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) is a body incorporated, constituted by the Newspaper Society of Sri Lanka, The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka, the Free Media Movement and Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, with its main objectives being “to assist, encourage and facilitate the Press to exercise and uphold its freedom and be responsible to the Public”.

The SLPI is the country’s leading institution that envisages development of media in Sri Lanka through professional training and upholding ethics. It has two major divisions, the Sri Lanka College of Journalism (SLCJ) which handles training of journalists, and the Press Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka (PCCSL) that operates as a mediator between the public and the media.

International Media Support (IMS) is a non-profit organisation working globally to support local media in countries affected by armed conflict, human insecurity and political transition. Across four continents, IMS helps to promote press freedom, strengthen professional journalism and ensure that media can operate in challenging circumstances.