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Freedom of Information Act to be introduced shortly - Minister Bakeer Markar

The Sri Lankan Government is in the process of introducing far reaching legislative and institutional changes to create conditions for journalists to perform their duties independently without fear or favour. The Press Council law will be repealed and the council itself will be replaced by an Independent Press Complain Commission. A Freedom of Information Act will be introduced shortly guaranteeing uninhibited access to information by the journalists. A Media Training Institute will be formed.

This facility will help the journalistic community to upgrade their professional knowledge and skills. All these means creating a new media culture fitting to make the concept of living democracy a reality in Sri Lanka," said the Minister of Mass Communication Imthiaz Bakeer Markar at the concluding session of the South Asian Regional Workshop on Media and Governance and Rights Based Approach to Development organized by the Worldview International Foundation (WIF) with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held at the WIF Auditorium, Pelawatte, Battaramulla recently.

Senior journalists from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and other SAARC countries participated at this workshop.

Minister Bakeer Markar further said "As I see the theme of the workshop had been 'Media Good Governance and Human Rights approach to Development' and capacity building among media personnel in order to create those conditions. This theme is very relevant particularly for us in the region when we consider the magnitude of human problems the countries of the region are faced with.

"As far as Sri Lanka is concerned focusing on such a theme is extremely helpful particularly at a time the Government is working with a deep sense of commitment to resolve the ethnic conflict, strengthen democracy, establish good governance and to protect human rights.

We are left with social conflicts in the South Asian region which to a great extent has resulted in regarding the overall progress of the nations both in terms of economic and social well-being.

"The legacy left behind by these major conflicts are reflected in poverty, hunger, malnutrition, illiteracy, among a vast majority of people in our continent. Therefore, I believe that these issues should be matter of prime concern for all of us and they should be high on the agenda for early resolution. These situations have left our people in a condition where they are unable to achieve their full potential as human beings that is legitimated in a civilized society.

These situations have left large populations in the region very sadly marginalised with further potential for social unrest. As long as these conditions prevail in a country, in my view achieving peace may not be a reality. If we really go into a deep analysis in search of the reasons for social conflicts in most of the countries certainly one would find that they are more structural and deep rooted than what we see on the surface, the Minister said.

He said in search for solutions for social problems I believe the journalistic community of a country is vested with a sacred responsibility. You are considered a respected member of the 'Fourth Estate'. You enjoy certain privileges which others do not. It may not be monetary but something beyond that.

A democracy to be considered as a living democracy needs to elicit an intellectual dialogue among people, among communities, among different groups on all important issues that matter for the healthy existence of a society. It is the journalist who facilitates this process. The freedom of expression is a fundamental inalienable right of a democratic society. It is also a reflection of important interests of the community.

Moreover it is a moral right. The indispensable function of expressing ideas is one of man's obligations to society. It is the professional journalist or the members of the Fourth Estate who will be entrusted to facilitate the performance of the above-mentioned duty.

They have to provide conditions for public debate and discussions. This they should to ensure victory over falsehood. This is where the sacredness of their duties come in to play. An element of credibility also enters into everything the journalist says and writes. He must be worthy of public belief and trust. A journalist must practise his or her profession with skill, courage, resolute and independence," Minister Bakeer Markar said.

At the end of the session the Minister distributed certificates among the participating delegates from SAARC countries.

Head of the Baltic Media Centre of Scotland Charles Fletcher, Arne Fjortoft, Secretary General of Worldview International Foundation, Navaz Faleel, Deputy Secretary General of Worldview International Foundation and Imtiaz Alam, journalist of SG News - Pakistan also addressed the concluding session.

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