Major reforms needed to rebuild public trust in Sri Lanka’s media, says new study
Sri Lanka’s government and media industry need to embark on wide-ranging media sector reforms, says an assessment of Sri Lanka’s media sector released to coincide with World Press Freedom Day, 3 May
The media sector assessment report, co-authored by International Media Support, concludes that reforms are needed at different levels – in government policies, laws and regulations, as well as within the media industry and media profession. The report is the first of its kind to build an assessment of the Sri Lankan media sector around UNESCO’s Media Development Indicator Framework .
Recent political changes have opened a window of opportunity which needs to be seized urgently, says the study report, titled Rebuilding Public Trust: An Assessment of the Media Industry and Profession in Sri Lanka.
The report is the outcome of a 14-month-long consultative process that involved media professionals, owners, managers, academics and relevant government officials. It offers a timely analysis, accompanied by policy directions and practical recommendations.
“The country stands at a crossroads where political change has paved the way for strengthening safeguards for freedom of expression (FOE) and media freedom while enhancing the media’s own professionalism and accountability,” the report notes.
It acknowledges how, since January 2015, the new government has taken several positive steps. These include: reopening investigations into some past attacks on journalists; ending the arbitrary and illegal blocking of political websites; and recognising access to information as a fundamental right through the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
Such measures have helped improve Sri Lanka’s ranking by 24 points (from 165 in 2015 to 141 in 2016) in the World Press Freedom Index, compiled annually by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the global media rights advocacy group.
But much more needs be done to improve FOE and media freedom in Sri Lanka, and to create better working conditions for all journalists and other media workers.
The report turns the spotlight on the media itself, and says that only a concerted effort by the entire media industry and all its personnel can raise professional standards and ethical conduct of Sri Lanka’s media.
The report comes out at a time when the country’s media industry and profession face multiple crises stemming from an overbearing state, unpredictable market forces and rapid technological advancements.
Balancing the public interest and commercial viability is one of the media sector’s biggest challenges today. The report says: “As the existing business models no longer generate sufficient income, some media have turned to peddling gossip and excessive sensationalism in the place of quality journalism. At another level, most journalists and other media workers are paid low wages which leaves them open to coercion and manipulation by persons of authority or power with an interest in swaying media coverage.”
Notwithstanding these negative trends, the report notes that there still are editors and journalists who produce professional content in the public interest while also abiding by media ethics. Unfortunately, their work is eclipsed by media content that is politically partisan and/or ethnically divisive.
The result: public trust in media has been eroded, and younger Lankans are increasingly turning to entirely web-based media products and social media platforms for information and self-expression. A major overhaul of media’s professional standards and ethics is needed to reverse these trends.
The report offers a total of 101 specific recommendations, which are sorted under five categories. While many are meant for the government, a number of important recommendations are directed at media companies, journalists’ and publishers’ associations, universities, media training institutions, and development funding agencies.
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, present at the launch of the report in Colombo, said:
“Although there are still shortcomings the Sri Lanka government has taken significant steps towards greater media freedom. A key element to ensure fundamental rights of people will be constitutional reform in which media freedom will also get strengthened,”
He encouraged the Sri Lanka media community to play a constructive role in strengthen journalism and media’s role, stating that ‘we will do our job, are you ready to do your part?
Lars Bestle, Head of IMS’ Deprtament for Asia, also present at the launch of the report,said:
“This Assessment points the way forward. It is now up to local actors; government, civil society, media, businesses and academia with support from the international community, to implement its recommendations. International Media Support stands ready to assist in these next important steps.”
In fact, this assessment has used an internationally accepted framework developed by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. Known as the Media Development Indicators (MDIs), this helps identify strengths and weaknesses, and propose evidence-based recommendations on how to enhance media freedom and media pluralism in a country. Already, two dozen countries have used this methodology.
The Sri Lanka study was coordinated by the Secretariat for Media Reforms, a multistakeholder alliance comprising the Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media; Department of Mass Media at University of Colombo; Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI); Strategic Alliance for Research and Development (SARD); and International Media Support (IMS).
They carried out a consultative process that began in March 2015. Activities included a rapid assessment discussed at the National Summit for Media Reforms in May 2015, interviews with over 40 key media stakeholders, a large sample survey, brainstorming sessions, and a peer review process that involved over 250 national stakeholders and several international experts.
Here is a summary of key recommendations:
- Law review and revision: The government should review all existing laws which impose restrictions on freedom of expression with a view to amending them as necessary to ensure that they are fully consistent with international human rights laws and norms.
- Right to Information (RTI): The RTI law should be implemented effectively, leading to greater transparency and openness in the public sector and reorienting how government works.
- Media ownership: Adopt new regulations making it mandatory for media ownership details to be open, transparent and regularly disclosed to the public.
- Media regulation: RepealthePress Council Act No. 5 of 1973, and abolish the state’s Press Council. Instead, effective self-regulatory arrangements should be made ideally by the industry and covering both print and broadcast media.
- Broadcast regulation: New laws are needed to ensure transparent broadcast licensing; more rational allocation of frequencies; a three-tier system of public, commercial and community broadcasters; and obligations on all broadcasters to be balanced and impartial in covering politics and elections. An independent Broadcasting Authority should be set up.
- Digital broadcasting: The government should develop a clear plan and timeline for transitioning from analogue to digital broadcasting in television as soon as possible.
- Restructuring state media: The three state broadcasters should be transformed into independent public service broadcasters with guaranteed editorial independence. State- owned Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (Lake House) should be operated independently with editorial freedom.
- Censorship: No prior censorship should be imposed on any media. Where necessary, courts may review media content for legality after publication. Laws and regulations that permit censorship should be reviewed and amended.
- Blocking of websites: The state should not limit online content or social media activities in ways that contravene freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and international conventions.
- Privacy and surveillance: Privacy of all citizens and others should be respected by the state and the media. There should be strict limits to the state surveillance of private individuals and entities’ phone and other electronic communications.
- Media education and literacy: Journalism and mass media education courses at tertiary level should be reviewed and updated to meet current industry needs and consumption patterns. A national policy is needed for improving media literacy and cyber literacy.
From 4 May 2016, the full English report will be available online for free access and download at: www.media-reforms.com
A Tamil version can be downloaded here: Tamil Sri Lanka MDI report
For more information, contact: rk@mediasupport.org
