Electronic Media should comply with new regulations - Media Minister

Chaminda PERERA

All private electronic media should conform to the new regulations imposed by the Government through a special gazette notification under the Rupavahini Act in 1982 to obtain licences, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa said.

According to the Media Minister a special advisory committee, appointed by a special Gazette Notification will ascertain the conformity of particular TV channel to these regulations before a licence is issued, he said. All TV Channels including the Independent Television Network (ITN) are required to forward their applications for the licences on November 24. The Media Ministry is not in any way involved in the decision making process.

The Advisory Committee is empowered to independently analyze adherence to this criteria.

This set of regulations was approved by the Attorney General's Department and "anybody can seek legal assistance if the Advisory committee is biased or if they feel this move is infringing their rights," he said.

These channels should also pay a lease for their licences for the first year and a 5% deduction will be imposed on lease each year thereafter, he said.

The Ministry is unable to issue permanent licences to the private TV channels as a set of regulations was not enacted. This situation baffled the Government in several court cases. All TV channels have temporary licenses and according to law a set of regulations needed to be announced to issue permanent licenses for these channels.

The Ministry will grant licenses to TV channels on the recommendation of the Advisory council. The TV channels failing to abide by the regulations can fulfill the relevant requirement and apply for the permanent license. There is no move to cancel the licences of TV channels which fail to meet the criteria laid down by the special gazette notifications as they have temporary licences.