Narrative Report of the Project “Stakeholder consultation ... · The Tamil version of the report was launched in Jaffna in January 2017. ... at National Library

Narrative Report of the Project

“Stakeholder consultation on the Draft Discussion Bill for an Independent Council for News Media”

APMAR PROJECT 2017

National Secretariat for Media Reforms International Media Support 58/19, School Lane, Nawala,

Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka [email protected] http://www.nsmrlk.org/

Table of Contents

Contents

Background ____________________________________________________________________ 01

Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill ___________________________________________ 05

International Mission on Draft Discussion Bill __________________________________________ 29

Referances _____________________________________________________________________ 32

Annexture ______________________________________________________________________ 34

First Draft Discussion Bill of Independent Council for News Media Standards

Revised Draft Discussion Bill of Independent Council for News Media

Report on the consultations on the draft Independent Council for News Media Standards

Pg. 01

Background

Background

During the last few decades, the Mass Media industry has experienced a series of rapid

changes. These changes compel a direct influence on the Media Industry and the Media

consuming public. Through this, the lives of the people, their attitudes, thinking, wishes,

beliefs and ideologies tend to get framed and the Mass Media perform a decisive role to

influence the direction of the political, cultural and economic spheres of the society. Hence

this interface must be subjected to a serious of study and critique.

Mass media in Sri Lanka, in most instances, has evolved originally and often in an ad hoc

manner. Without comprehending a correct vision of the role that could be performed by

the media in national development and national integration, the governments and owners

of media companies and other parties try to control the media. In strengthening the

democracy and the political reforms that are now taking place in the country, it is quite

essential that there should be an evolution of clear media policies and the structural reforms

in the Media.

Narrative Report

of the Project

“Stakeholder

consultation on

the Draft

Discussion Bill for

an Independent

Council for News

Media”

Pg. 02

Background

In 2015, the Secretariat for Media Reforms (NSMR) with partnership of IMS, commenced

an assessment in which all the stake holders of the media industry participated. It was for

the purpose of development of the media industry in Sri Lanka and to establish a media

culture with a high standard. The views of the public were also obtained to assess the

present situation of the Media industry. This assessment was based on the UNESCO Media

Development indicators and time period of 14 months was spent on this study.

The assessment report which was named as "Rebuilding Public Trust" was handed over to

the Prime Minister, Leader of the opposition and people's representatives in Colombo on

the World Media Freedom Day in May, 2016. The Tamil version of the report was launched

in Jaffna in January 2017. This report could be obtained from nsmr.lk website in Sinhala,

Tamil and English languages. This report has forwarded 100 recommendations for media

development and structural reforms in this country. Of these, one recommendation was to

formulate policies to safeguard the rights of the audience and to raise the standard of the

mass media in the country. Based on these recommendations, the Ministry of Media

submitted a cabinet paper in 2016 on 'formulation of policies to raise the standards of Mass

Media''.

On 23 November 2016, the Government of Sri Lanka made a public statement to say that

it is committed to create an environment needed for the existence of a media sphere which

will assure accountable as a reliable source to those who use media and is equipped with

media profession and media standards recognized internationally. A concept note was

published on the Media Ministry website, for which public comments were received until

31 January 2017. A period of four months has been given for the public to submit their

opinions and proposals. Parallel to this, a committee of media stakeholders appointed by

the Ministry “to preserve the freedom of the news media and to maintain and improve the

professional Standards of news media in Sri Lanka”. The committee headed by the Media

Specialist Mr. Wijayananda Jayaweera to submit recommendations to raise the standard of

Pg. 03

Background

Media. The Media reported that the representatives of the following Media Organizations

will serve as members of the said committee.

1. Free Media Movement

2. Sri Lanka Newspapers Association

3. Tamil Media Collective

4. Federation of Media Employees Trade Union

On behalf of the Ministry-appointed committee, Mr Wijayananda Jayaweera produced a

‘Zero Draft’ of a Discussion Bill for setting up an Independent Council for News Media

Standards for safeguarding media freedoms and raising professional standards in the news

media. The draft was reviewed and commented upon by other committee members, after

which it was decided to have a series of public consultations.

Mr. Wijayananda Jayaweera is a specialist of the in the Media who is acclaimed

internationally. He has functioned as the Director of the Media Development Division of

UNESCO for a long time. He has moderated extensively in various countries of the world

for development of media and to safeguard media freedom.

Pg. 04

Background

Consultation of Journalists Unions and Association on Draft Discussion paper for News Media Standards :

Gayantha Karunathilaka (Minister of Mass Media), Karu Paranavithana (Deputy Minister of Mass Media), Dr.

Ranga Kalansooriya (Director General, Department of Government Information) at Ministry of Mass Media-

2016

Discussion with Minister of Mass Media and Deputy Minister of Mass Media on Draft Discussion paper for

News Media Standards- Representatives of Journalists Unions and Association at Ministry of Mass Media- 2016

Pg. 05

Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill


April 2017: English, Sinhala and Tamil versions of the zero draft became available on NSMR

website. Based on these, public discussions on the proposal started taking place in the

mainstream media as well as on social media. April 2017: NSMR offered the Ministry of

Mass Media to conduct a nationwide consultation process on the Zero Draft, so that the

views of a cross section of Lankan public can be gathered.

Launching the Draft Discussion Bill for Independent Council for News Media Standards, at National Library

Auditorium, Colombo on 5th May 2017. Deepthi Kumara Gunaratne(Editorial Director- Sathhanda News Paper Ltd),

K.W.Janaranjana (Editor- Ravaya News Paper), Deepanjalie Abeywardana (Head- Media Research- Verite Research), Wijayananda

Jayaweera (Author of the Draft Bill and Chairman of the government committee for News Media Standards)

The National Secretariat for Media Reforms (NSMR) was of the view the Draft Discussion

Bill compiled and submitted by Wijayananda Jayaweera will augur the establishment of a

high Media culture, utilization of media with high professional standards and also will

facilitate the role assigned to media in a democratic society. Thus, NSMR planned to

conduct public consultations on this draft Bill, to gather stakeholders and public comments/

views on Draft Discussion Bill of Independent Council for News Media Standards.

NSMR raised funding and Consultation support from IMS Denmark for this activity.

Pg. 06


26 April 2017: Ministry of Mass Media and NSMR co-hosted an initial discussion at BMICH

Colombo for a select group of media professionals, as well as media academics and activists,

to brief them on the proposed Independent News Media Standards Council and to seek

their views on the zero-draft prepared by the Jayaweera Committee. This meeting was

addressed by Hon. Deputy Minister Mr Karunarathna Paranawithana and Director General

of Information Dr Ranga Kalansooriya.

Between May and the end June 2017, the National Secretariat for Media Reforms, held

consultations in eight provinces in Sri Lanka, which was consultative and funding supported

by the International Media Support (IMS).

Pg. 07


Thus, NSMR organized open public consultations in eight provinces, in collaboration with

local level media associations, advocacy groups or university academics.

National Secretariat for Media Reforms carried out a Public Consultative process on draft

Bill of Independent Council for News Media Standards at grass- roots level in the eight

provinces in Sri Lanka that began in May 2017 directly involved over 1,000 persons from

all walks of life – including clergy, local level politicians, various professionals, government

officials, university teachers, businesspersons, retirees and many others. The consultation

process engaged not only Sinhala speakers but also Tamil speakers from all socio-economic

and cultural backgrounds.

Thus, NSMR has involved a course of action to subject the draft Bill for discussion by public

and to obtain the criticisms, feedback and suggestions from them to strengthen the Draft

Bill and to submit them to the policy formulation of the country. Through this, it is

envisaged that the public of the country got the opportunity to participate at the Media

policy formulation process. Hence, NSMR intended to facilitate for a platform to be

provided to scrutinize and debate all the contents contained in the discussion draft Bill. The

overall goal of the effort was “to maximize the contribution of Public participation and get

public feedback on Draft Discussion Bill.

Pg. 08


Pg. 09


May – June 2017: The public consultations were promoted in advance through mainstream

media and social media, and once held, they were documented on text and video which were

shared on social media.1 The large number of comments and suggestions received during

these consultations were compiled into individual event reports as well as a single

consolidated report.

1 See updates on NSMR website at http://www.nsmrlk.org and on its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Independent-Council-for-News-media-Standards-1289933094460687/

http://www.nsmrlk.org/

https://www.facebook.com/Independent-Council-for-News-media-Standards-1289933094460687/

https://www.facebook.com/Independent-Council-for-News-media-Standards-1289933094460687/

Pg. 10


Pg. 11


Pg. 12


The partnership of Public consultation process involved:

- Meepura.Com

- Sabaragamuwa Province Journalists’ Association

- Rathnapura Journalists’ Association

- Uva Province Library Service Board

- Media Unit, University of Jaffna

- Jaffna Press Club

- Media Unit, Galle District Secretariat

- Viswa Kala Padanama, Kandy

- Inter Peace Foundation, Kandy

- Central Province Media and Communication Studies Teachers’ Forum

- Eastern Journalists’ Association

- Batticaloa District Tamil Media Association

- Kanthankudhi Media Forum

- Batticaloa Civil Society

- Media Unit of Anuradhapura District Secretariat

The following key actions were taken between 1st of May 2017 and 26th June 25, 2017.

- Produced and Published at http://nsmrlk.org/; a summary of written public

comments received in response to the Ministry’s concept note and translating it into

English and Tamil;

- Open call for Public comments and suggestions for Draft Discussion Bill

(solicited through emails, NSMR website, Independent Council for News Media

Standards Face Book pages).

Pg. 13


- Translate English original Draft Bill into Sinhala and Tamil languages and

published on NSMR website for the public access at http://nsmrlk.org/;

- Conducted Public Consultation Seminars in Sabaragamuwa Province, Uva

Province, Northern Province, Eastern Province, Western Province, Sothern

Province, Central Province and North-Central Province. Public Consultation

process held as follows:

1. Public Consultation in Western Province- Launch of the Draft Discussion Bill,

on 5th May 2017, at National Library Auditorium, Colombo

K.W.Janaranjana- Editor- Ravaya News

Paper

Pg. 14


2. Public Consultation in Sabaragamuwa Province on 20th May 2017, at Ratnapura

Samudhi Hall, Ratnapura

Pg. 15


3. Public Consultation in Uva Province on 21st May 2017, at Uva National Library

Service Auditorium, Badulla

Pg. 16


Dr. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekara, Vice Chancellor- Uva Wellassa University

Chamara Sampath, Chief Minister- Uva Province

Pg. 17


Manel Ratnayake, a Leading Civic Activist

4. Public Consultation in North Central Province on 28th May 2017, at

Creston Park Hotel, Anuradhapura

Pg. 18


5. Public Consultation in Eastern Province on 4th June 2017, at LRH, Lanka Rest, Batticaloa

Pg. 19


Pg. 20


6. Public Consultation in Northern Province on 8th June 2017, at Tilko Jaffna City Hotel, Jaffna

Pg. 21


S.Sivajilingam- Member of the Parliament – Jaffna District

Dr. Ragu Ram, Head- Media Studies, University of Jaffna

7. Public Consultation in Central Province on 17th June 2017, at Devon Hotel, Kandy

Pg. 22


Pg. 23


8. Public Consultation in Western Province on 24th June 2017, at Cardinal Coray Centre, Negambo

Pg. 24


Leading Civic Activist Breto Fernando on draft bill

Pg. 25


9. Public Consultation in Southern Province on 26 June 2017, at Galle District Secretariat Auditorium, Galle.

Pg. 26


Pg. 27


10. Conducted an Open Consultation group meeting with Journalists’ Unions

and Associations on 29 June 2017, at Sri Lanka Press Institute. Following

Journalists’ Organization participated:

1. South Asian Free Media Movement

2. Sri Lanka Free Media Movement

3. Foreign Journalists’ Association

4. Sri Lanka Press Association

5. Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists’ Collective

6. Sri Lanka Web Journalists’ Association

7. Sri Lanka Muslim Journalists’ Forum

8. Sri Lanka Development Journalists’ Forum

9. InterNews

10. Sri Lanka Media Foundation

Pg. 28


11. Conducted two Open Consultation group meeting with Interest Groups, Experts and Media

Practitioners

27 April 2017-at BMICH

30th June 2017- at Sri Lanka Press Institute

12. Conducted Dialogues with media owners and managers, Sri Lanka Press Institute, Owner and

Management of Maharaja Organization Pvt Ltd, Owner and Management of Derana Pvt Ltd., Chairman,

Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Chairman, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

13. Documented the Public Consultations/comments at provincial level in text Sinhala and Tamil,

photographic and Video Documentary terms for each event and published on NSMR website, FB pages

(Tamil and Sinhala), You Tube and twitter for the Public Discourses/ Public Sphere.

Pg. 29

International Mission on Draft Discussion Bill


Toby Mendel, Executive Director, Centre for Law and Democracy and Nalaka Gunawardene, Country

Manager, IMS

• 29 June to 5 July 2017: At the request of NSMR, International Media Support (IMS)

provided the expertise of Toby Mendel, a human rights lawyer specializing in freedom

of expression, the right to information and democracy rights, to consult key media

stakeholders and revise the zero draft of the Act.2 Mendel, who is well known to the

media and legal communities in Sri Lanka, met with Parliamentarians, government

officials, media owners, editors, media associations as well as individual media activists

and lawyers active on media and freedom of expression issues.

• 11 July 2017: Decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers at meeting held on this date

included the following: “45. Commencement of a public discourse on media rights

and standards (Document No 79): The proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil

2 https://www.law-democracy.org/live/about-us/who-we-are/

https://www.law-democracy.org/live/about-us/who-we-are/

Pg. 30


Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic

Affairs, to appoint a Cabinet Committee to make recommendations to the Cabinet in

this regard within 2 months, and to continue this process, which is being commenced

in civil activist and semi-government level, through the Ministry of Finance and Mass

Media, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.”

• 21 July 2017: Based on his consultations with media stakeholders in Sri Lanka, Toby

Mendel produced a substantially revised and enhanced discussion draft of Independent

News Media Council Act. This draft, which supersedes all previous versions, is to be

further discussed before it is finalized.

• Accordingly, the revised draft discussion bill for an Independent Council for News

Media and the report of public consultation was submitted to the Government

Department of Information. These documents have been submitted by the

Government Department of information to the Cabinet sub-committee appointed by

the government to oversee the media.

Pg. 31


Pg. 32

References:

References:

Public Discourses are available at:

http://nsmrlk.org/

https://web.facebook.com/Independent-Council-for-News-media-Standards-

1289933094460687/?_rdc=1&_rdr

https://web.facebook.com/Independent-Council-for-News-media-Standards-

1289933094460687/?_rdc=1&_rdr

https://youtu.be/3_UsMCxyfPw

http://nsmrlk.org/discussion_sabaragamuwa.html

http://nsmrlk.org/discussion_northcentrel.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Db7xLt4-g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC7bcOyjS0k

Jaffna.mp4

http://nsmrlk.org/

https://web.facebook.com/Independent-Council-for-News-media-Standards-1289933094460687/?_rdc=1&_rdr




https://youtu.be/3_UsMCxyfPw

http://nsmrlk.org/discussion_sabaragamuwa.html

http://nsmrlk.org/discussion_northcentrel.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Db7xLt4-g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC7bcOyjS0k

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-Ds9JPBWVmjaGo0TVp2RU5LeHM/view?usp=drive_web

Pg. 33

Contact Information

Contact Information

National Secretariat for Media Reforms International Media Support

58/19, School Lane, Nawala, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka Tel +94 718607797 [email protected] [email protected] http://www.nsmrlk.org/

International Media Support (IMS) Nørregade 18 1165 Copenhagen K

Denmark

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Narrative Report of the Project “Stakeholder consultation ... · The Tamil version of the report was launched in Jaffna in January 2017. ... at National Library