(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 4 February 2004 FMM press release: FMM welcomes PM’s proposals regarding state media The Free Media Movement welcomes the latest proposals submitted to the co-habitation discussions on behalf of Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasingha on transforming state media into independent institutions. The organisation greets the proposals with the same enthusiasm […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 4 February 2004 FMM press release:
FMM welcomes PM’s proposals regarding state media
The Free Media Movement welcomes the latest proposals submitted to the co-habitation discussions on behalf of Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasingha on transforming state media into independent institutions.
The organisation greets the proposals with the same enthusiasm with which it welcomed President Kumaratunga’s proposals for state media transformation some two months ago. Both leaders have now proposed to make state media independent as a way out of the current political impasse. FMM believes that the democratic transformation of state media is of utmost importance, not only in the current context, but also in the long-term interest of developing democracy, good governance and a non-discriminatory media culture in this country.
According to newspaper reports, on 2 February, the Prime Minister made the following proposals:
Under the provisions aimed at ensuring a free and fair media, an independent supervisory council will be appointed to monitor the functioning of all state media. The rules and procedures pertaining to the council are to be finalized by the end of this month.
In her November proposals for a co-habitation government, President Kumaratunga agreed to transform the state media into public service media institutions.
Now, as both the President and the Prime Minister have spoken in the same voice regarding the transformation of state media, FMM urges both governing parties to agree on a work plan to make this transformation, regardless of other political developments that may ensue.
In the Sri Lankan context, transforming powerful state media into genuine public service media will pave the way for a change of media culture towards media freedom with social responsibility.
FMM also welcomes the expressed commitments of both leaders to strengthen the four independent commissions on governance as a prelude to consensus governance in Sri Lanka.
Sunanda Deshapriya
Spokesperson, FMM
