The Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) has called on the government to immediately withdraw the proposed bill to establish a regulatory authority for media professionals, claiming it poses a serious threat to press freedom and media independence.
In a statement issued on June 7, the association said that although discussions on creating an independent body to protect journalists’ rights have taken place for years, the draft legislation unveiled by the government on June 5 reflects an intention to control and suppress the media rather than safeguard it.
According to the SLWJA, any regulatory authority should function independently and focus on promoting media freedom, professional standards, ethical practices, journalists’ welfare, and media education, without political influence.
The association expressed concern over several provisions in the draft bill, including powers granted to the Minister of Media to appoint an interim council, regulate the authority, and oversee disciplinary actions against media professionals. It noted that the proposed definition of “media professionals” would bring a wide range of individuals—including writers, editors, publishers, announcers, media owners, managers, and cameramen—under the authority’s jurisdiction.
The SLWJA argued that the proposed structure would effectively create a mechanism to punish journalists rather than strengthen professionalism within the industry. It also criticized provisions requiring ministerial approval for foreign assistance and assigning the authority a role in advising the Minister on media education, saying these measures undermine its independence.
The association further accused the government of pursuing media control while continuing to use laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Official Safety Act (OSA) against artists, writers, and journalists. It cited recent incidents involving the arrest of Tamil singers and youth, the confiscation of books written by Tamil authors, and the questioning of editors by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over reports exposing alleged government misconduct.
Warning that the proposed authority could intensify pressure on journalists and media institutions, the SLWJA urged media professionals across Sinhala, Tamil, and English-language platforms to unite in advocating for an independent regulatory framework free from government interference.
