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Press freedom fears as Sri Lanka considers new media code Press freedom fears as Sri Lanka considers new media code
(4 months later)
A new code of ethics for the media proposed by the Sri Lankan government could have a chilling effect on free speech, according to the organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW).A new code of ethics for the media proposed by the Sri Lankan government could have a chilling effect on free speech, according to the organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW).
The code, put forward two days ago (17 June) by the country's ministry of mass media and information, comes at a time when the Colombo government has clamped down on Sri Lanka's once vibrant media.The code, put forward two days ago (17 June) by the country's ministry of mass media and information, comes at a time when the Colombo government has clamped down on Sri Lanka's once vibrant media.
Ominously, the minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, said that the code was intended to create a "salutary media culture" because the actions of unnamed media outlets had "led to many problems."Ominously, the minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, said that the code was intended to create a "salutary media culture" because the actions of unnamed media outlets had "led to many problems."
The code prohibits the publication of 13 types of substantive speech including content that vaguely "offends against expectations of the public, morality of the country, or tend to lower the standards of public taste and morality."The code prohibits the publication of 13 types of substantive speech including content that vaguely "offends against expectations of the public, morality of the country, or tend to lower the standards of public taste and morality."
It also includes any content that "contains material against the integrity of the executive, judiciary, and legislative", which could be interpreted as barring criticism of the government.It also includes any content that "contains material against the integrity of the executive, judiciary, and legislative", which could be interpreted as barring criticism of the government.
The code further restricts content that "contains criticism affecting foreign relations," which could lead to sanctions for reporting on international criticism of Sri Lankan government actions.The code further restricts content that "contains criticism affecting foreign relations," which could lead to sanctions for reporting on international criticism of Sri Lankan government actions.
Brad Adams, HRW's Asia director, said: "The government's proposed media code is part of a sustained campaign to control the media and curtail dissent.Brad Adams, HRW's Asia director, said: "The government's proposed media code is part of a sustained campaign to control the media and curtail dissent.
"Sri Lankan journalists are already under enormous pressure not to be critical of the government, and the vagueness of this code will likely lead to greater self-censorship to avoid government retaliation.""Sri Lankan journalists are already under enormous pressure not to be critical of the government, and the vagueness of this code will likely lead to greater self-censorship to avoid government retaliation."
It is unclear when the code will be presented to parliament, what legal effect it will have if passed, or what sanctions would be imposed for non-compliance.It is unclear when the code will be presented to parliament, what legal effect it will have if passed, or what sanctions would be imposed for non-compliance.
The Press Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka already has drafted code of practice that has been endorsed by the International Federation of Journalists and its affiliates in Sri Lanka.The Press Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka already has drafted code of practice that has been endorsed by the International Federation of Journalists and its affiliates in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan media has faced various threats in recent years. On 3 April, masked armed men set fire to the office of Uthayan, a leading Tamil opposition newspaper whose journalists have previously been assaulted.The Sri Lankan media has faced various threats in recent years. On 3 April, masked armed men set fire to the office of Uthayan, a leading Tamil opposition newspaper whose journalists have previously been assaulted.
In June 2012, the police raided the offices of the Sri Lanka Mirror, a news website, and the opposition Sri Lanka X News website, confiscating computers and documents and arresting nine people.In June 2012, the police raided the offices of the Sri Lanka Mirror, a news website, and the opposition Sri Lanka X News website, confiscating computers and documents and arresting nine people.
Last year, at least five news websites critical of the government were closed by the authorities.Last year, at least five news websites critical of the government were closed by the authorities.
And violence remains a real fear for journalists, which is only heightened by impunity for perpetrators. There have been no significant developments in the 2010 disappearance of Prageeth Ekneligoda, a contributor to Lanka E-news, nor in the murder of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was shot dead near a police station in 2009.And violence remains a real fear for journalists, which is only heightened by impunity for perpetrators. There have been no significant developments in the 2010 disappearance of Prageeth Ekneligoda, a contributor to Lanka E-news, nor in the murder of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was shot dead near a police station in 2009.
Source: Human Rights WatchSource: Human Rights Watch
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