Free Media Movement urges President to abolish repressive laws

The Free Media Movement (FMM) called upon newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to abolish repressive laws in a bid to prioritise the protection of fundamental rights and strengthen democracy.

Issuing a statement, the FMM underscored the importance of civil liberties and freedoms as essential foundations of a thriving democracy, which had been hampered by certain repressive laws passed in recent times.

Extending its congratulations to the 9th Executive Head, elected by the people - the FMM stresses that the health of the country’s democracy will be determined by how he governs and addresses these critical challenges.

Recent developments have seen the introduction of oppressive ordinances aimed at curbing freedoms of speech and expression, which are the lifeblood of any democratic society. Among the most concerning are the Online Safety Act, the Anti-Terrorism Bill and labour law reforms — all of which threaten to further erode democratic freedoms.

Along with other civil society organisations, the FMM, media groups and trade unions have strongly opposed these repressive measures, warning that such laws are a direct assault on constitutional democracy. The FMM views the new presidency as a golden opportunity to abolish these draconian laws and show a genuine commitment to upholding and strengthening democratic principles.

The FMM also demands accountability for the crimes committed against journalists and media institutions under previous regimes. This includes the killing of journalists, the disappearances of journalists, and violent attacks on media houses. The FMM calls for the immediate setting up of a fully empowered Presidential Commission for Truth and Justice to investigate these crimes and deliver long-overdue justice.

Transforming state-owned media into independent public service media, and the establishment of an independent mechanism to oversee media activities, are also crucial steps toward ensuring free media. This will help eliminate the current culture of media corruption and ensure fair and transparent media operations.

With over 30 years of experience in advocating for media freedom, the Free Media Movement is well-equipped and stands ready to contribute to broad-based media reforms. However, it asserts that the immediate abolition of repressive laws and the pursuit of justice for media-related crimes must be the top priorities in safeguarding freedom of expression and upholding democratic values in Sri Lanka.