Govt Press Release: Websites carrying news on Sri Lanka should register with the Media Ministry

2011- Nov. 05: The Ministry of Mass Media and Information has been receiving many complaints from various individuals who

have been subjected to defamation and character assassination by certain reports published in several websites. These websites in question are continuing to publish defamatory and damaging reports aiming at selected individuals. Some of the reports directly violate the privacy of those individuals. The content of certain reports found on the web sites are injurious to the image of country, Head of the state, Ministers, senior public officials, VVIP who have been targeted in this deliberate character assassination campaign. In the above circumstances, a survey was conducted by this Ministry and it has been revealed that certain reports published in several websites have been noted as allegedly committing such as wrongful acts violating the laws of the country.

The ministry believes that those who are operating and maintaining these clandestine websites have been doing so to discredit the government, Head of the state and others concerned with malicious intent. Journalists/Editors/Owners of these websites seem to disregard the ethics of journalism, right of individual privacy and security of those who have been targeted. If the content of a publication on a web site is deemed to be a potential violation of the privacy of an individual such publication positively goes against the accepted norms and normal ethics of a responsible media practice. Such slanderous publications should not only be discouraged but also acts of this nature would have to be effectively prevented in the interest of general public.

In view of the above, The Ministry of Mass Media and Information intends to request all news casting websites to maintain accepted ethical standards of Mass media and conform to the laws of the country in producing and publishing the content of their websites which are uploaded from Sri Lanka or elsewhere. Such websites carrying any content relating to Sri Lanka or the people of Sri Lanka are also requested to communicate with the Ministry of Mass Media and Information and register their accreditation at their earliest.

For more information they may contact Mrs. K.W.T.N. Amarathunge, Additional Secretary (Devept & Palnn) on Tel- 0094 112513943, Fax: -0094 112512343 Email: amarathungamedia@yahoo.com , secretory@media.gov.lk or website – www.media.gov.lk

Signed by

Prof. Ariyarathna Athugala

Director General of Government Information

 

 

1 Comment to “Govt Press Release: Websites carrying news on Sri Lanka should register with the Media Ministry”

• R.Dias
  November 9, 2011 at 5:35 pm

  DEFAME : damage the good reputation of a person or persons

  INSULT : 1.speak to or treat with disrespect or abuse. 2.insulting remark
  or action. 3. a thing so worthless as to be offensive

  meanings by the Oxford Dictionary.

  Mr.Baratha Lakshman Premachandra was killed in broad day light either by Duminda Silva or by another person in his squad on instructions given. However being a Member of Parliament Duminda Silva should take the full responsibility of the event for lack of restraint. There had been High Ranking Police Officials from Mirihana, Mulleriyawa, in the convoy of MP Duminda Silva on this fateful day. They are witnesses to this episode apart from the others in the Public domain.

  The Defense Secretary, Media Director for Defense,said…DUMINDA SILVA IS NOT A SUSPECT FOR THIS MURDER…HE IS INNOCENT…HE IS NOT A DRUG DEALER…The President said…DUMINDA SILVA IS GOTA’S MAN…HE WAS NOT APPOINTED AS A OVERSEER TO THE DEFENSE MINISTRY….I WILL SAFEGUARD ANYONE WHO HAVE HELPED ME TO COMMAND 2/3 IN THE PARLIAMENT…MANY UNDERWORLD THUGS SUPPOSED TO HAVE CONNECTED TO THIS MURDER DISAPPEARED..

  The above are few issues published related to the killing of Baratha Lakshman Premachandra…..whoever the man he was, no one has the right to killing him in that manner and the President of a Country, Defense Secretary, Media Secretary should not issues statements as said above..
  IT IS VERY DOUBTFUL THAT JUSTICE WILL EVER BE DONE because this issues has been regarded as worthless to be offensive…….BLOODY INSULT.

  Now…..who actually insulted or defamed and whom ? think carefully.

  IT IS NONE OTHER THAN THE PRESIDENT OF DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA, THE DEFENSE SECRETARY, MEDIA DIRECTOR WHO HAVE DEFAMED AND INSULTED THE LATE BARATHA LAKSHMAN PREMACHANDRA’S FAMILY AND THE AVERAGE INTELLIGENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY… THE REACTIONS OF WEB SITES ARE NONE OTHER THAN THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY….IS IT WRONG FOR THE PEOPLE TO HAVE REACTED TO STATEMENTS WHICH ARE DEFAMATORY, INSULTING ISSUED BY THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY ?

  MP Rambukwella should understand that the Govt is not there to issue statements and clear murderers, but directives to the POLICE to conduct impartial investigations..this is daylight murder..it also should not be disregarded as an in house clash of the ruling party and investigations are not needed……DO NOT GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THE COUNTRY IS RULED BY THUGS….AT LEAST FOR THIS TIME.