Sri Lanka plans to introduce a voluntary code of conduct for the media with 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.
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.
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.
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