Ministry to promulgate a Charter for journalists – Ministry of Mass Media

Media personnel capacity building programme “Empower” enhancing media professionals for outstanding writing & effective reporting this programme concluded for the Eastern Province on February 8 and 9 at Ananthama Hotel, Trincomalee.

The Ministry of Mass media and United Nation Development Programme conducted this two days residential workshop conjointly. Selected media personnel from the 9 provinces of Sri Lanka benefited from this programme the final of which took place for 40 journalists from Batticaloa, Ampara and Trincomalee in the Eastern Province who participated were presented with certificates and luminous jackets for their identification in the day and dark.

At this programme the following objective crime reporting, online safety law, privacy information, misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, publication of false reporting laws, hate speech legislation and safeguarding of personal rights while reporting explained.

The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Mass Media V.P.K. Anusha Palpita revealed that the stalled insurance scheme for journalists will be implemented next year. He also said that the Ministry is making all arrangements to promulgate a charter for the journalist.

Though the Ministry is introducing this it will function independently. Legislation for the same has already been prepared. It will be sent to the Attorney General who will implement it in six months’ time.  The Charter will protect the journalists and help them to improve their journalistic life professionally.

Journalists must know the ethics that they must follow in reporting news and incidents. A pension scheme is being contemplated for full time journalists.

Head of Department of Languages & Communication Studies, Eastern University Dr. V. J. Naveen Raj,  President of the Press Club and senior lecturer Mahinda Pathirana, President of Independent Network Sudharshana Gunawardane, Commissioner of RTI Attorney-at-Law Jagath Liyanarachchi , Media Director of UNDP Chathuranga Hapuarachchi, Director of Mass Media K.P. Jayantha, Director of Mass Media (Development) W.P. Sewwandi , Mandana Ismail, N.A.K.L. Wijenayake, and Ureka Welarathne were also present and explained the nitty-gritty to the participants.

The post Ministry to promulgate a Charter for journalists – Ministry of Mass Media appeared first on DailyNews.