Govt. trying to gag media – IRES

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Ranil Wickremesinghe administration is introducing oppressive laws one after the other because it is afraid of elections, Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director, Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES), says.

Gajanayake said that the government was now trying to control the media through the proposed Broadcasting Regulatory Commission.

“There are no elections. Apart from protesting, one of the few ways people can express displeasure is through the media and social media. The government has been trying to suppress the media, using various gimmicks, and this act is one,” he said.

Gajanayake said in the draft bill, the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission can take action against a media institution for being detrimental towards national security, national economy, law and order and for not telling the truth.

“These are broad and vague areas. During an election, the commission can easily gag a media institution by alleging that they are not reporting the truth. The government can simply take away the Opposition’s access to media,” he said.