Broadcasting Authority Bill modelled on UK law – Minister

• All stakeholders connected to electronic and social media would be  consulted 

By Sandun A. Jayasekera  

Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana says that the proposed Broadcasting Authority Bill (BAB) has been drafted in line with the legal provisions that govern the same regulatory body in the UK and Sri Lanka’s draft is a further step forward.  

Minister Dr. Gunawardana told the media that all stakeholders connected to electronic and social media would be consulted and the draft law is subject to a broad dialogue before the enactment of the BAB.  

However, Minister Gunawardana dismissed the claim that journalists, electronic media institutions, social media and bloggers are liable to be penalized if they don’t tow the line of the government of the day and added, the sole intention of the BAB was to regulate the electronic and social media to prevent its abuse.   

“Only those who want to use the electronic and social media for political or personal gains must be worried about the BAB,” he stressed.  

Responding to Daily Mirror, Minister Gunawardana admitted that there was a huge protest in the country from a cross section of the public, trade unions, social organizations and political parties against the BAB,.  
Minister Gunawrdana said almost all the past governments have attempted to introduce similar regulatory bodies to control the media but failed.  

Meanwhile, the government is also in the process of  establishing an independent regulatory body for the betterment of the film and television industry in the country, he added.  

“The film industry is facing a severe setback due to various problems and it has been recognized that there is a need to establish an independent regulatory agency to revive the film industry. 

Also, for the advancement of the television industry, it appears desirable to have an independent body to provide guidance and regulate the industry, he said.