|
Right of reply to personal defamation stressed:
Code of ethics for newscasting websites
Nadira GUNATILLEKE
The Mass Media and Information Ministry has introduced a code of
ethics for newscasting websites. A printed handout of the code ethics
will be issued to registered websites along with their licence.
In terms of the code of ethics - among other conditions - a fair and
reasonable opportunity to reply should be given to individuals or
organizations in respect of factually incorrect statements tarnishing
their reputation, dignity, honour, feelings, privacy and office.
The website editor or journalist who responds to a complaint, other
than to apologize or regret an error, must be prepared to offer the
aggrieved party a fresh opportunity to reply. According to the code of
ethics, in dealing with social issues of a particularly shocking or
emotionally painful nature, such as atrocities, violence, drug abuse,
brutality, sadism, sexual salacity and obscenity, the website should
take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics
with sensitivity and responsibility.
When reporting suicide cases, extreme care should be taken not to
give excessive details of the method used. The website shall exercise
particular care to respect the private and family lives of individuals,
their families, their home, health and correspondence.
The website report should avoid prejudicial references to a person’s
race, colour, religion, sex or any other physical or mental illness or
disability.
In reporting accounts of crime and criminal cases, publications shall
not, unless it is legally permitted, to name victims of sex crimes.
Websites shall not provide links to other sites that are blocked or
suspended by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
by a court order.
The Code of Ethics for Newscasting Websites is available with the
Mass Media and Information Ministry, 163, Kirulapone Avenue, Polhengoda,
Colombo 5.
|
Forty six register with
ministry
Forty six newscasting
websites have been registered with the Media Ministry. A
licence will be issued to them, Mass Media and Information
Ministry Secretary W B Ganegala said.
The ministry received 81
applications from websites for registration over the past
few weeks and 17 did not qualify for registration due to
shortcomings.
The applications were
inspected by authorities in the presence of the applicants
and those who did not qualify for registration were informed
to apply again with accurately filled application forms,
Ganegala said.
He said the licence to be
issued to the registered website owners will include a
registration number, name of the website, IP address, name
of the owner, address (local) of the owner. “The
registration is effective from January 12, 2012. The
registration is valid for one year and a further extension
could be considered upon request made to the Ministry
Secretary,” Ganegala said.
“Change of registration
information should be notified to the ministry within two
weeks from the date of change.
“All contents appearing on
the website should conform to the accepted media code of
ethics in Sri Lanka,” he said.
A copy of Code of Ethics for
newscasting websites is issued with the licence.
Violation of conditions of
the licence will result in the cancellation of the
registration and will lead to initiate appropriate legal
action against such violations, Ganegala said.
The people’s right to
expression and media freedom has been promoted and protected
through this registration process. |
|
