Sri Lanka plans to introduce a voluntary code of conduct for the media with Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information Mr. Charitha Herath Friday met the news editors of print, TV and radio organisations to discuss the possibility of improving ethics among the industry, particularly pertaining to reporting on crime.the
participation of all stake holders. The Media Ministry is preparing to draft the new codes for media that could put new guidelines to all electronic and print media.
He announced that the draft of the proposed code of ethics already completed would be forwarded to media heads soon for their perusals. The new code includes provisions provided for by the different ethical codes and practices already in existence for print and other media.
Sri Lanka for the first time made regulations for media in 1973 under the Press Council Act. The Code of Ethics introduced at that time was once amended later. Sri Lanka Rupavahini (TV) Corporation is having a separate code for advertisements. On the other hand various organizations maintain their own written and unwritten guidelines and practices for their media practitioners.
“This is not a law but a voluntary process intended to be completed with the inclusiveness of all stake holders The Ministry expects suggestions also from the people who practically run the news in media organizations” Mr Herath told the gathering which represented the news directors and editors of print and electronic media of the country.
He said that the media operate under a competitive atmosphere should not succumb to pressures from the individual political and commercial agendas and instead should preserve and promote moral standards and values of the society in general.
During the discussion several ideas were put forward on establishing a common platform to reduce sensationalism, especially regarding crime reporting including murder and rape. Ideals of not publishing names of victims, reservations in showing suspects and grieving family were highlighted.
However, several news editors were of the opinion that the media also need to be empowered for ethics to be successful. They stressed that the difficulty in getting comments from high powered public officials often led to misunderstandings and inaccurate reports
The media representatives suggested that the officials in-charge of media within Ministries and elsewhere should be trained so that they can provide competent linkages to the media. Such steps would mean that media have access to necessary information and would therefore provide credible reports.
Courtesy : Department of Government information