The Free Media Movement (FMM) has called on the Sri Lankan government to ensure transparency and accountability as it proposes a restructuring plan for three state-owned media institutions: the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), and the Independent Television Network (ITN).
These institutions, currently struggling with financial losses, are set to be placed under a unified management structure.
While acknowledging the need to make these state media entities financially sustainable, the FMM emphasizes the importance of disclosing the specifics of the restructuring plan.
In light of growing calls from democratic citizens and media communities, the FMM stressed that this restructuring should be seen as an opportunity to transform state media into independent public service media, rather than continuing its historical role as a tool for government propaganda.
Concerns have also been raised over the use of public resources, such as broadcast frequencies, by state media organizations.
There have been reports suggesting that one of the agreements signed during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s official visit to China involves state media, though its details remain undisclosed.
Despite requests from media organizations, the government has not yet revealed any information about this agreement, fueling suspicions about the potential link between it and the proposed restructuring.
In response to these concerns, the FMM is urging the government to immediately release the details of the agreements signed with China concerning state media.
Additionally, the movement calls for the presentation of the restructuring plan for public discussion, stressing that media professionals and the public must have a voice in shaping the future of state media.
The FMM called for open and transparent dialogues surrounding the proposed National Media Policy and criticized the government’s silence on the abolition of outdated institutions such as the Press Council.
Furthermore, the FMM also supports calls from progressive citizens for the repeal of laws that restrict freedom of speech and expression, an issue the government is yet to address publicly.
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