• Secy. Palpita notes proposed law will address loopholes in Rupavahini & Broadcasting Corp. Acts

Responding to opposition against the proposed Electronic Broadcasting Regulatory Bill, Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media Anusha Palpita yesterday (22) said that only the working draft of the Bill has been prepared and submitted for the reference of media institutions and that it is, therefore, open for anyone to propose their ideas and suggest amendments to the draft.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday, Palpita also said that the main objective of the proposed Electronic Broadcasting Regulatory Act is to make proper legislation to impose a common set of conditions on all television (TV) and radio channels and strengthen the legal framework related to the conduct of media institutions. He also said that currently, there are limited rules and regulations related to the broadcasting sector, especially when issuing licences for radio and TV channels, and that this has been notified by the Attorney General (AG) also. “The power of issuing licences for radio and TV channels is vested in the Minister of Mass Media by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Act, No. 6 of 1982 and the Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation Act, No. 37 of 1966. When a case is being filed regarding the conduct of a media institution or about malpractice in issuing licences, the AG says that sometimes there are no sufficient laws to continue such cases. So, this Act is to be brought with the idea of strengthening the legal framework,” he said.

When he was queried about the provisions included in the Bill, he said that he is unable to comment on it as the working draft was made by a Cabinet Sub-Committee. However, he said that the main focus of the Bill is on the establishment of the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission in order to regulate broadcasting service providers and other matters such as the licence-issuing procedure and making a code of ethics for media institutions.

Palpita further noted that the working draft of the Bill has already been sent to the heads of media institutions. He also said that everyone should understand that the prepared working draft will not be passed as the final Act, but that the amendments proposed by various parties and the Supreme Court will be included in the Act. He also requested relevant individuals to come up with necessary proposals or amendments.