Media freedom is a must

“Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too,” said Voltaire. Over the decades this right to think for ourselves has become synonymous with the right to information and freedom of media, largely because they form the tools with which communities and countries think. 

Ensuring access to these tools has become the hallmark of a democratic form of governance and is held up as the right of a free society but on 2 July President Sirisena rejuvenated the Press Council, which will likely have the opposite effect.

For Sri Lanka these rights have been hard to come by. For decades, media freedom was choppy topic that was usually sunk by politicians who felt that an independent media was an overrated and some would argue a pointless concept. During the last 10 years, in particular under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, media was monitored to the extent self-censorship became the norm.

Even when the military aspect of the conflict ended, the former Government continued to corral the media rather than allowing for open discussions and inclusive problem solving or even strengthening the industry through capacity building so they could promote higher standards of reporting. The result was Sri Lanka frequently slipping down global media freedom rankings, eventually landing among the worst 20 countries.  

However, times change and the famous ‘Rainbow Coalition’ that brought President Maithripala Sirisena to power pledged to be the catalyst for this change. They vowed to unbind media and even pass Right to Information (RTI) legislation. Not only have those plans been derailed but last week President Sirisena made fresh appointments to the Sri Lanka Press Council, effectively rolling back media freedom he once pledged to support.       

The Press Council was established under the 1973 Press Council law and is made up of members appointed by the President as well as two journalists chosen by media organisations. Under the law, outlets are forbidden from publishing documents related to Cabinet decisions without the permission of the Cabinet, as well as some defence and fiscal matters. The law also provides for wide-ranging punitive powers, including the imprisonment of journalists and publishers, according to local press freedom groups.

The Press Council was dissolved in January 2015 after Sirisena was elected President. The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) together with international media freedom watchdogs have vehemently condemned the reappointment of the SLPC, which was reconvened during former President Rajapaksa’s tenure. 

SLPI has slammed the President for “completely reversing an election promise of his to ensure the stoppage of direct and indirect threats and intimidation against print media personnel and their owners, the question arises if this is the short-term and long-term program he promised in his election manifesto to protect freedom of all media personnel”.

This is indeed a valid point, more so as the country is heading towards a Parliamentary election. Media freedom is essential during campaigning to allow policy discussion and engagement on party ideologies. It even more crucial in a post-election environment where the Government will need to engage with minorities and promote reconciliation, especially on the international stage.

Media freedom brings opportunities and rulers need to be ready to use that constructively to foster national consensus for the benefit of everyone. Dissent it not disloyalty.