Media Authority on way

*New Govt initiative to develop media practices

*Assistance for journalists to develop media skills

The Government has decided to establish a Media Authority to support journalists and the media to develop their creativity.

The draft legislation has already been drawn up. But it will not interfere with or discourage media freedom, Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the Kandy District Journalists Forum, Monday. The Minister said it was the objective of his Ministry to develop the sector encouraging creativity and developing journalists’ skills and make more opportunities in the sector for aspiring journalists to be. It will not interfere with media freedom or the freedom of expression.

It is a step taken to develop the media persons and media institutions.

The authority will encourage and develop media in keeping with modern trends and developments in the world today.

The Minister said the Government policy is to develop all media to their full capacity so that they will serve the public as competent modern institutions.

It also seeks to assist journalists to develop their professional skills but it we will not restrict their freedom and employment.

Government Information Department Director General Prof Ariyaratna Ethugala said the Media Authority seeks to develop the media and assist journalists and media institutions to achieve progress.

There will not be any restrictions or interference in the media by the government and the ministry seeks only to encourage the media to develop to its full capacity.

The draft legislation was prepared with these positive objectives in mind, he said.