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
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
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
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
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
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
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
Pg. 09
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
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/
Pg. 10
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
Pg. 11
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
Pg. 12
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
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
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
- 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
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
2. Public Consultation in Sabaragamuwa Province on 20th May 2017, at Ratnapura
Samudhi Hall, Ratnapura
Pg. 15
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
3. Public Consultation in Uva Province on 21st May 2017, at Uva National Library
Service Auditorium, Badulla
Pg. 16
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
Dr. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekara, Vice Chancellor- Uva Wellassa University
Chamara Sampath, Chief Minister- Uva Province
Pg. 17
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
Manel Ratnayake, a Leading Civic Activist
4. Public Consultation in North Central Province on 28th May 2017, at
Creston Park Hotel, Anuradhapura
Pg. 18
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
5. Public Consultation in Eastern Province on 4th June 2017, at LRH, Lanka Rest, Batticaloa
Pg. 19
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
Pg. 20
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
6. Public Consultation in Northern Province on 8th June 2017, at Tilko Jaffna City Hotel, Jaffna
Pg. 21
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
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
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
Pg. 23
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
8. Public Consultation in Western Province on 24th June 2017, at Cardinal Coray Centre, Negambo
Pg. 24
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
Leading Civic Activist Breto Fernando on draft bill
Pg. 25
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
9. Public Consultation in Southern Province on 26 June 2017, at Galle District Secretariat Auditorium, Galle.
Pg. 26
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
Pg. 27
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
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
Public Consultation on Draft Discussion Bill
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
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/
Pg. 30
International Mission on Draft Discussion Bill
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
International Mission on Draft Discussion Bill
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
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