SRI LANKA

MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY INDEX 2019 Tracking Development of Sustainable Independent Media Around the World MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY INDEX 2019

The Development of Sustainable Independent Media in Sri Lanka www.irex.org/msi Copyright © 2019 by IREX

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Study author: Zahrah Imtiaz, Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum

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The 2019 Sri Lanka MSI was funded by IREX; it was produced as part of the Media Empowerment for a Democratic Sri Lanka program, funded by USAID and made possible by the support of the American people.

ISSN 1546-0878 IREX Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum

IREX is a nonprofit organization that builds a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) is a well-established national level by empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending organization, with more than 7 years of experience in promoting the role of media in access to quality education and information. democratization and transformation. SDJF works closely with local media organizations, international media development agencies, civil society organizations, youth and women IREX delivers value to its beneficiaries, partners, and donors through its holistic, people- development movements and organizations that promote democracy and pluralism centered approach to development. We bring expertise and experience in fields such towards better transformation. Media for transformation, community media for inclusive as education, civil society, gender, media, governance, access to information, and youth development, and training and capacity building are the major program areas of SDJF employment. with cross-cutting themes of democracy, equality, social justice and inclusiveness.

Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $80 million, offices in 20 countries, and a global staff of 400. We work in more than 100 countries worldwide. http://www.ldjf.org/ SRI LANKA AT A GLANCE GENERAL MEDIA-SPECIFIC ▶▶Population: 21.67 million (Department of ▶▶Languages (% of population): Sinhala ▶▶Number of active media outlets: print: 20 ▶▶Annual advertising revenue in media Census and Statistics, 2018) (Official and National Language) 74%, Tamil (daily), 50 (weekly) and 30 (monthly), radio sector: $520 Million (Nielson, 2013 – most ▶▶Capital City: Colombo (Official and National Language) 18%, Other stations: 50, television stations: 20 (Verite recent available data) 8% (est. CIA World Factbook, 2012) Research, Media and Owners Database, 2018) ▶▶Ethnic Groups (% of population): Sinhalese ▶▶Internet Subscribers: 7.13 million 74.9%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.2%, Sri Lankan ▶▶GNI (2017 Market prices): $85 billion (Central ▶▶Newspaper circulation statistics: top five (Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Moor 9.3%, Indian Tamil 4.1%, Other 0.5% Bank of Sri Lanka, 2018) dailies: Lankadeepa (Sinhala): 250,000, September 2018) (Department of Census and Statistics Sri ▶▶Literacy rate (average): 93.1% (Central Bank Divaina (Sinhala): 156,000, Virakesari (Tamil): ▶▶Mobile Subscribers: 32.05 million Lanka. 2018) of Sri Lanka, 2018) 140,000, Ada (Sinhala): 110,000, Daily News (English): 88,000, Island (English): 70,000, ▶▶Religion (% of population): Buddhist 70.1%, ▶▶President or top authority: President Hindu 12.6%, Muslim 9.7%, Roman Catholic Maithripala Sirisena (since January 9, 2015) Daily Mirror (English): 76,000 (self-reported 6.1%, Other Christian 1.3%, Other 0.05% collected via their Wikipedia entry, 2018) (Department of Census and Statistics Sri ▶▶Broadcast ratings: N/A Lanka, 2018) ▶▶News agencies: Lankapuvath

MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY INDEX: SRI LANKA SCORE KEY Unsustainable, Anti-Free Press (0–1): Country does not meet or only minimally meets objectives. Government and laws actively hinder free media development, professionalism SUSTAINABLE is low, and media-industry activity is minimal.

Unsustainable Mixed System (1–2): Country minimally meets objectives, with segments of the legal system and

NEAR government opposed to a free media system. Evident progress in free-press advocacy, increased professionalism, and new SUSTAINABILITY media businesses may be too recent to judge sustainability. 2.03 1.96 1.94

1.90 Near Sustainability (2–3): Country has progressed in meeting 1.84 1.84

1.71 multiple objectives, with legal norms, professionalism, and the 1.67 1.67 SUSTAINABILITY 1.57 1.55

1.53 business environment supportive of independent media. Advances MIXED SYSTEM UNSUSTAINABLE have survived changes in government and have been codified in law and practice. However, more time may be needed to ensure that change is enduring and that increased professionalism and the media business environment are sustainable. 2017 2019 2017 2019 2017 2019 2017 2019 2017 2019 2017 2019 UNSUSTAINABLE ANTI-FREE PRESS Sustainable (3–4): Country has media that are considered FREE PROFESSIONAL PLURALITY OF BUSINESS SUPPORTING SERVING generally professional, free, and sustainable, or to be approaching SPEECH JOURNALISM NEWS SOURCES MANAGEMENT INSTITUTIONS PUBLIC NEEDS these objectives. Systems supporting independent media OBJECTIVES have survived multiple governments, economic fluctuations, and changes in public opinion or social conventions.

Scores for all years may be found online at https://www.irex.org/msi he year of 2019 marks a decade since the end between the president and the prime minister, which has OVERALL of Sri Lanka’s civil war and a decade since Sri existed in one form or another since 2015, has further SCORE Lanka’s media have had to report on issues in a complicated an already difficult environment for media country struggling to emerge from bitter conflict to operate in the country. As a result, mainstream media that ravaged its people for more than three organizations are splitting their loyalties between the 1.80 decades. In the intervening ten years since the two main political parties of the country—one headed Tend of the war, the media, too, have been struggling to by the president and the other by the prime minister. provide fair, objective and balanced news that creates Politicization of the media sector was an important Even with a backdrop of political more opportunities for reconciliation in the post war point discussed during the MSI panel discussion, instability, Sri Lanka’s overall setting. and the panelists agreed that this was limiting the 2019 MSI score remained at 1.80, effectiveness and independence of Sri Lanka’s media. Last year, however, tested the integrity of the media in the same as it was the last time State media, was used inappropriately to promote the the country, as a constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka split the study was conducted in agenda of the group in power during the October 2018 the media into two camps—those which supported 2017. This year, the Freedom of crisis which showed how vulnerable their situation was. the status quo and those who opposed it. In October Speech objective just crossed In the meantime, citizen media and alternative web 2018, President Maithripala Sirisena decided to sack the threshold into the near media institutions found the independence they need to his cabinet and to appoint former President Mahinda sustainable category due to operate in a middle ground. This crisis was also a time continued improvement in the Rajapaksa as prime minister, having unconstitutionally when a discourse was created for more accountability legal framework after the 2015 removed the incumbent, Prime Minister Ranil in the media. Various independent groups backed this by election and the fact that no major Wickremesinghe. This led to a 51-day government stating that “trust in media had been lost,” but whether incidents were committed against which could not function, as Speaker of Parliament Karu these groups were politically motivated remains a the media in 2018. Professional Jayasuriya refused to recognize its legitimacy. As the question. Journalism (Objective 2) was the executive and legislature locked horns, the country came only objective to decrease this to a standstill between who was right and wrong. The Against this backdrop of political infighting, Sri Lankan year, which panelists attribute people saw that the media too had taken sides between media institutions are struggling more than ever to politicization of news media, the two camps, prompting people to place their faith to stay financially afloat. Three smaller print media self-censorship, and few resources in social media platforms for their news. However, the organizations had to shut down their operations as the to pay adequate salaries or MSI panelists highlighted that the split in the media cost of imported newsprint spiked in the latter part of invest in quality, investigative had also spilled over to social media, which became an the year, and some have had their financial backers journalism. This study separately increasingly divisive place for those online. withdraw. The overall score remained the same from the analyzed how the media serves initial MSI study in Sri Lanka in 2017 (1.80), reflecting that With parties resorting to legal action against the the public in Objective 6, with the state of journalism remains the same in the country. actions of the president, the Supreme Court ruled panelists noting that the media However, there is some optimism that as the online that his appointments were unconstitutional, leading tends to reflect the views of the space grows, it may provide mainstream media and to previous Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and the government, media owners, or journalists with an alternative source of revenue and a cabinet being sworn back in. This power struggle the elite, rather than the concerns venue for freedom of expression. or needs of the general public.

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OBJECTIVE 1: out that journalists and civil society activists in the He added, “Soon people lose interest in the FREEDOM OF 2.03 north continue to face threats and surveillance from process.” SPEECH defense authorities when they cover stories related Samanthika de Silva, executive producer at to the military. He cited the example of journalists state-owned broadcaster Independent Television In the four years since the ‘Good Governance’ who were allegedly photographed and put under Network (ITN), felt that the government has not government of President Maithripala Sirisena surveillance for covering the Keppapilavu land attempted to curb freedom of expression and that came into power in 2015, panelists stated issue, which revolves around military occupation of Sri Lankans are now free to express themselves that they have seen a visible improvement in residents’ private lands, in the Mullaitivu District. For without consequence. She highlighted that the social freedom of speech in the country, though much more than a year, residents in this area have been media sphere in particular had opened up space is left to be desired. This was indicated in the agitating and protesting outside the military camps, for the general public and for critics, and many had improvement of this objective’s score when asking that their lands be released back to them. turned to social media when they found no space in compared to the last MSI study. This was also Raguram explained that many who went to cover mainstream media. the highest scoring objective for Sri Lanka and the protests had allegedly been carefully watched Mohamed Fairooz, editor of the Tamil language shows that the space for the media is improving. by the military and that the military were always newspaper Saturday Vidivelli, however, noted that present at the location of the protests when media the government did step in to shut down social The Sri Lankan constitution refers to the importance went to cover it. “This has made several people media platforms such as Facebook, Whatsapp and of freedom of speech in Article 14 (1) which states reluctant to talk to the media openly too,” he said. Instagram during the communal unrest between that, “every citizen is entitled to freedom of speech Arumukarasa Sabesan, senior sub-editor of the Sinhalese and Muslim groups in Digana, Kandy and expression, including publication.” However, Tamil language newspaper Yarl Thinakkaral in Jaffna, in March 2018 in order to curb the spreading of in the very same constitution, Article 15 restricts added that this reluctance stems from the unlimited “false news.” He observed that, while this shut this right in instances when “racial and religious power in the north wielded by the state’s security down helped cool down tensions between the harmony are under threat, parliamentary privilege apparatus. “The military, having run civil adminis- communities to a certain extent, it also prevented is violated, it is in contempt of court, defamation, tration for the best part of the last 30 years, has not people from communicating with their loved ones or is an incitement to violence.” Apart from this, the changed its mindset after the war,” said Sabesan. and sharing vital information. Furthermore, it also country also has laws such as the Public Security In addition to this chilling effect on freedom hindered reporting on the incident. Ordinance 1959 which allows the president to of expression, Raguram pointed out practical ineffi- Another worry lies in the government’s declare a state of emergency at any time “he/she ciencies when it comes to implementing laws attempts to introduce a new law, the Counter feels that security of the state is at stake.” In an such as the RTI. He explained that the government Terrorism Act (CTA) to supplement the existing emergency, the president gains immense power, continues to be lackadaisical with language rights, Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Raguram noted including suppression of the media. The Official and as a result, there are many delays when people that many in Sri Lanka are skeptical and worried Secrets Act of 1955 also has the power to curb the submit their applications for information in Tamil about how national security will be defined in the disclosure or publication of information deemed rather than in Sinhala or English. Despite the law’s CTA. The PTA was introduced in 1978 to empower necessary for purposes of national security. requirement that a government institution supply an state security agencies to act swiftly when there In 2016, the government introduced the Right answer to public queries within 14 working days, it are imminent national security threats; it specifically to Information Act (RTI), but the panelists pointed often takes longer when the query is in Tamil due to prohibits the printing, publishing or distribution of out that not all parts of the country enjoy the same a lack of translators within the system. Furthermore, information without the prior written approval of access to information. there is a shortage of RTI commissioners and they a competent authority, and it specifically prohibits Sivasubramanium Raguram, senior lecturer in are concentrated in Colombo, greatly inconve- publication of any issue that might incite violence. media studies at the University of Jaffna, pointed niencing the average citizen outside of the capital. Given the opposition to this law over the years and

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its draconian measures, the government, when it potential government censorship, certain members The unpredictability of the situation, Dodawatta sponsored the United Nations Human Rights Council of the public, including journalists, accept self-cen- said, is marked by the website, Lanka e-news Resolution 30/1 in 2015, promised to repeal the PTA sorship with regard to sensitive matters surrounding being randomly blocked by the government, with and replace it with anti-terrorism legislation more in religious or cultural norms. The best example of this no explanation. “We were not told on what basis it line with contemporary international best practice. is the banning of the book Budunge Rasthiyaduwa was banned either. So, the culture of impunity still Many, however, now worry that passage of the CTA (The Buddha’s Wanderings) in Sinhala in August prevails. Though the number of incidents are less would give the government wider powers than the 2018 for having allegedly offended Buddhism and and are not that serious. There is impunity in the PTA to suppress any dissent in the country. Buddhist sentiments. The Minister of Cultural Affairs country,” he added. If new laws are an issue, Pradeep at the time also asked that the author, K.K. Shrinath, Weerasinghe quipped that the government Weerasinghe—a senior lecturer in mass media at the and his publisher be arrested, though they were later is no longer using press laws to suppress the University of Colombo and Chairman of the National released on bail. This freedom of expression, thus, is media but rather is resorting to other means: Secretariat for Media Reforms (NSMR)—also worried very fragile and could collapse at any time. It is not The Lanka e-news website was blocked by the about more archaic laws which have escaped sustainable, according to Dodawatta. Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) reform for many years and continue to be major over a licensing issue, not because the website was barriers to freedom of expression in the country. being censored for its content. This showed that the For example, under the Parliamentary Powers and Legal and social norms protect and promote authorities are still in the business of suppressing Privileges Act of 1953 (amended in 1984), no citizen free speech and access to public information. information they do not want disclosed, even though is allowed to criticize the actions of members of FREE-SPEECH INDICATORS the methods of suppression have changed. parliament or take a politician to court over anything As the discussion about freedom of expression ▶▶Legal and social ▶▶Libel is a civil law issue; he or she has said in session while addressing protections of free public officials are held moved into the social media sphere, some panelists the parliament. Further, Weerasinghe also strongly speech exist and to higher standards, were of the view that most of the outdated press criticized the action of President Maithripala Sirisena are enforced. and offended parties laws do not matter, as social media allows the public must prove falsity to reactivate the Sri Lanka Press Council in 2015, via ▶▶Licensing of broadcast and malice. to access news and information without government 1973’s Press Council Law No. 5. This law, which has media is fair, competitive, interference. However, Jamila Najmuddin, editor lain dormant for many years, gives the government and apolitical. ▶▶Public information of the Sri Lankan News in Asia website and is easily accessible; wide-ranging powers when activated, including ▶▶Market entry and tax right of access to correspondent for Xinhua News (China), pointed out censorship of the media and imprisonment of media structure for media are information is equally that much like legacy media, social media is also a fair and comparable enforced for all media personnel. to other industries. highly divided place with little regard for the truth. The panelists observed that media freedom and journalists. To Najumuddin, Sri Lanka now has social media has visibly improved in the country, resulting from ▶▶Crimes against ▶▶Media outlets have divided along political lines, between support for the journalists or media relatively few threats against the media (both in and unrestricted access former regime and for the current one. She further outlets are prosecuted to information; this is out of court) and because no major incident has vigorously, but equally enforced for all noted that journalists on social media get attacked taken place which could threaten the freedom of occurrences of such media and journalists. by supporters from one side or the other for their crimes are rare. expression. Chandrasekara Dodawatta, convener of ▶▶Entry into the reporting. Weerasinghe added that there now are the Free Media Movement (FMM), characterized it as ▶▶State or public media do journalism profession “social media soldiers,” or trolls, who support certain being “easy to sail when the seas [are] calm.” not receive preferential is free, and government politicians or famous personalities. “The technology legal treatment, and Apart from government-related censorship imposes no licensing, which had given you the opportunity to make your law guarantees editorial restrictions, or special concerns, Dodawatta highlighted existing censorship independence. rights for journalists. voice heard is no longer free; it now also has the related to cultural and religious issues. In addition to tools to suppress your voice,” he said.

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Fairooz shared an example where a news Such requests—as journalists like Rathindra to her, they have to report within a framework, given website known to him was blocked for a day Kuruwita, news editor of the English language daily that they are state media. because they had published certain information newspaper Island, pointed out—can also come from Weerasinghe also noted that media owners about a powerful politician. “Though we think that the private sector and business interests, not only often impact the editorial impartiality of news the internet has brought more freedom, it can also the government; the private sector, he felt, had more reporting. Further, it has now become a trend for be suppressed. The government even blocked social power to curb freedom of expression and news. mainstream media to source news stories from media when we had social unrest in Kandy,” he said. “We are always under pressure from companies social media sources with no fact-checking in place. to not report things. This should also be taken into Raguram remarked that the politicization of account,” he said. news media is so severe that even the ordinary “The technology which had given you the Overall, while there has been little improvement citizen can now easily identify the particular political opportunity to make your voice heard is in the legal framework which hinders the freedom affiliations of certain media outlets and that their no longer free; it now also has the tools to of expression in the country, the panelists feel that stories had become blatantly biased. This signified the political environment provides them space to that not only state media, but even private media, suppress your voice,” Weerasinghe said. discuss alternative political opinions, to criticize have to ensure their journalists conform to the the government for its inefficiency, and to support interests of their owners. Sabesan explained all Freedom of speech, in the end, comes down freedom of expression without fear of grave private media institutions have their own agendas, to accountability said Sabesan. None of the earlier consequences. and the journalists are required to work within those abductions or murders of journalists during the civil confines. “All journalists have to adopt the policy war and in the immediate aftermath have been OBJECTIVE 2: handed down by the media owners, but I think that resolved yet, and those who committed these crimes PROFESSIONAL 1.67 even within that framework they can do something have been allowed to roam free. Examples of such JOURNALISM positive for society,” he said. cases include the murder of the former editor of the Lasanthi Daskon, attorney-at-law and Sunday Leader newspaper, Lasantha Wickrematunga The quality and professional standards of Sri independent accessibility consultant in Sri Lanka, (2009); the disappearance of cartoonist Prageeth Lankan journalism continue to receive a low questioned as a reader and as a citizen how Ekneligoda (2010); the attack on journalist score, and this year it experienced a decline from journalists decide what information is deemed Keith Noyahr (2008); and the disappearance of the previous MSI study in 2017 (1.71). important and what is not, within the confines in Jaffna-based journalist Subramanium Ramachandran which they work. She asked the panel whether (2007). Najmuddin—who had previously worked Media ownership in Sri Lanka has always been journalists think of ethics and integrity when working with slain editor of the Sunday Leader, Lasantha controlled by the government and private owners within such a restricted environment. The panelists, Wickrematunga—pointed out that they could not who, more often than not, are linked to one political however, insisted that, increasingly, commercial completely feel free because his assassins have not party or the other. Unfortunately, the ownership interests and pressure from private enterprises are been caught. “If people who murdered journalists of the media does not reflect diversity in terms of becoming more powerful than political censorship in are roaming free, what safety do we have?” she structure and has inadequate representation of the newsroom, overshadowing ethical concerns. remarked. She further observed that as journalists community groups. Sri Lanka does not have public Kanchana Dhasanayake, chief editor of the in Sri Lanka they still tend to come under pressure media per se, as the state media is controlled by Sinhala language daily Ada, remarked that although with regards to what to report and what not to, the government/political party in power. De Silva people frequently speak of censorship within a adding, “And this pressure is not necessarily who works for the state media broadcaster said political framework, they face more pressure from life-threatening, but these are now more in the form they needed to work to support the will of the ruling commercial interests than they do from government of requests.” “whichever government that is in power.” According sources, asking that stories which hurt their own

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commercial interests not be published. He added more weight than entertainment programming, all Journalism meets professional that as an editor he is also aware that when dealing panelists unanimously agreed that entertainment standards of quality. with controversial topics, the likelihood of facing is given more prominence than informative a lawsuit or being taken to the Press Complaints programming, as entertainment attracts more PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM INDICATORS Commission is higher, and his organization is not advertising revenue and viewership interest than ▶▶Reporting is fair, ▶▶Entertainment interested in going through such long and drawn news. Daskon who campaigns for rights of those objective, and programming does well sourced. not eclipse news out processes to procure a news story. “It is time with disabilities, stated that it is very difficult to get and information consuming and expensive. So, we ask our journalists media to cover social issues such as hers because ▶▶Journalists follow programming. to stay away from stories which can get us into they are looking for entertainment. recognized and accepted ethical standards. ▶▶Technical facilities trouble,” he said. There are three things that are important for and equipment for When asked whether editors discourage media: Inform, instruct, and entertain. However, Sri ▶▶Journalists and editors gathering, producing, do not practice and distributing reporters from covering certain issues, Senior Lanka media mostly covers just politics and crime, self-censorship. Political Writer Sanjaya Nallamperuma of the Sinhala noted Sabesan. For a country which has undergone news are modern and efficient. weekly Lakbima News reported that they are asked more than three decades of civil war and multiple ▶▶Journalists cover key events and issues. not to report on news that is disadvantageous to insurrections, politics and crime are the beats most ▶▶Quality niche reporting and programming the owner of the organization, whilst Fairooz added journalists cover. At present, though, the audiences ▶▶Pay levels for journalists and other media exists (investigative, that they ask reporters to refrain from reporting have changed but Sabesan noted that the journalists professionals are economics/business, news items that could be used, rightly or wrongly, themselves have not changed to cater to a changing sufficiently high to local, political). in a defamation lawsuit against his media organi- and diverse group of readers and consumers of discourage corruption. zation. Red FM’s Assistant News Editor Vaishnavy information. Velraj, in the meantime, noted that censorship is not A common thread among all panelists when just avoiding a topic but also reporting it in such a it came to professional journalism was the low pay way that facts, which are seen as undermining the awarded to many in the profession. According to As salaries have been stagnant for many owner’s interests, are left out. “At times we are asked industry reports, English-speaking journalists on years and thus unattractive to job-seekers, few are to leave out details which can anger those in power,” average earn higher than journalists working in the choosing to enter the profession. Dhasanayake he said. Sinhala and Tamil media. An entry-level reporter for noted that given the low salaries, they cannot afford Dodawatta noted that, more often than not, an English-language daily newspaper would earn to hire better professionals, and thus it feeds into the the stories on which organizations choose to report close to $110 (LKR 20,000) per month while a similar vicious cycle of not being able to produce quality rather than what they leave out indicate their reporter in a Sinhala or Tamil daily would earn journalism, let alone investigative journalism. “When interests and are more revealing of their own version around $55 (LKR 10,000) per month. A senior desk we can’t hire the best, the quality of journalism of censorship. head (e.g., news editor) in English-language media drops. We also can’t spare money or time to Kuruwita explained that given the limited could earn up to $417 (LKR 75,000) per month while undertake more investigative pieces. Thus, many resources most media organizations have, they it would be slightly lower in the Sinhala and Tamil don’t undertake investigative journalism in the field,” are left with little choice other than to decide what media. Print media correspondents, on the other he said. is important to them and what is not. Further, hand, earn between $0.83-$1.38 per news item, Sanjaya Nallaperuma, senior political columnist according to him it is hard to define public interest. depending on its length. Television reporters receive for Lakbima News in Galle, explained that most “Everyone works according to their view of the world around $8.33-$11.11 (LKR 1500-2000) per clip while media outlets get their news from regional and we too have to deal with that,” he said. web news reporters earn around $166 (LKR 30,000) correspondents who have to focus on quantity In terms of whether news coverage has on average per month for their work. rather than quality to make ends meet. He explained

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that one correspondent may supply news to multiple OBJECTIVE 3: but for the BBC he has to find at least three sources outlets in a day to earn as much as possible. This PLURALITY 1.84 _ for his story. The media outlet and its standards also means that they are just running around to get OF NEWS thus make a huge difference in the quality of news whatever voice cut they can. “There is no in depth that is sourced. De Silva sharing her experiences questioning or analysis involved,” said Nallaperuma. Given the fast pace of journalism today and in the state media observed that they simply quote Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Press with traditional media having to compete whatever a government official or minister says, Complaints Commission Sukumar Rockwood, who with online and broadcast media sources, the with very little fact-checking going into the story. runs a yearly journalism awards program, noted that panelists agreed that few journalists incorporate According to her, the habit of verifying government the state of investigative journalism in the country more than one or two sources when gathering news is nonexistent. is reflected by the fact that for most years there are information for news stories. They argued that Raguram, highlighting a different sort of no entries for the investigative journalism category it is becoming more important to be the first to problem, said audiences in the north are mostly from Sinhala and Tamil language media. Raguram, report the news, rather than the most reliable. As exposed to news from southern India rather than who is also part of the journalism awards judges’ a result, accuracy and quality of journalism suffer. Sri Lanka as cable channel operators tend to panel, added that most pieces which are submitted Kuruwita pointed out that more often than not, monopolize the channels to which their customers from English language media are descriptive with the number of sources a journalist approaches subscribe. Most have cable TV and they watch no analysis. He noted that they cover topics in a for a news article depends on the time available Indian news. “So, they will know more about India general manner. “We see no investigation done. to them. “We just don’t have the time to get than Sri Lanka,” he observed. This means that the This is probably because journalists… are [often] not multiple sources for a news story,” he said, excessive availability of southern Indian content and allowed to specialize in any particular field. There is further highlighting Sri Lanka’s competitive media the higher priority given to southern Indian channels no time for that,” added Raguram. Najmudin, adding environment and its demands for generating by cable providers have limited the cable audience’s to the conversation, explained that most journalists more content. Dhasanayake added that, with access to multiple sources of local news in Jaffna. who want to undertake investigative journalism are the increasing commercialization of the media, The government runs two television networks, not guided or mentored properly into it. “They come outlets have to produce news constantly to stay ITN and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation; a back with basic facts and no more,” she said. relevant. In the process, the quality of the news radio network, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation they produce suffers. “Many simply want to (SLBC); and a newspaper publishing house called “When we can’t hire the best, the quality of upload something even if it is not first verified, in the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon, which journalism drops. We also can’t spare money order to finish the job. Few verify the information publishes seven newspapers (both daily and they get,” he said. weekly) in the Tamil, Sinhala, and English languages. or time to undertake more investigative All panelists agreed that Sri Lanka’s state media pieces. Thus, many don’t undertake Sabesan, agreeing with Dhasanayake, stressed that largely fails to fulfil its duty of filling in the gaps investigative journalism in the field,” in the Sinhala and Tamil language media especially, of information not provided by private media journalists quote sources which cater to their institutions. Further, state media is not capitalizing Dhasanayake said. particular audience regardless of whether it provides on the opportunity it has to carry out public interest Overall, the panelists stressed that they a balanced and accurate story. Dodawatta relating programming, which it alone can afford to do. Few personally try their best to adhere to ethical and from his personal experience noted that a journalist private media, driven by commercial interests, would professional standards when undertaking their work. from the regions told him that he supplies news to take up such subject matters. For example, state However, there needs to be more guidance and both a local Sinhala media organization as well as media could educate the people on legal matters, pressure from media institutions to insist that ethical to BBC Sandeshaya. He puts in minimum effort for knowledge of which is sorely lacking in the country. standards are followed on a day-to-day basis. the local media outlet and writes whatever he wants, Weerasinghe said that legally all state media

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need to follow the directives of the government in monopolize information. For example, Derana Media, a place in mainstream media coverage. The Muslim power, since they are the major shareholders in the which started off with a news television network, community, especially, he said does not feel that institutions. has expanded into radio, online news sites, and a their voice is given due place in the Sinhala media, newspaper in recent years. Weerasinghe noted that which has resorted to a distorted picture of the “We just don’t have the time to get multiple to the wider public, the topic of media ownership community. The majority of Tamil-speaking people sources for a news story,” Kuruwita said, is a closely-guarded secret. The research and in the country (including Tamils and Muslims) in the advocacy firm Verite Research in 2018 undertook meantime also felt that the Sinhala media did not further highlighting Sri Lanka’s competitive a study of Sri Lanka’s media ownership, but care for minority concerns, he added. In the same media environment and its demands for Weerasinghe pointed out that this study mainly way, he admitted that the Tamil media did not cover generating more content. concentrated on the English language media, and the Sinhala community enough and what coverage it was uploaded to a website many people do exists is done in a negative manner. Sabesan Dhasanayake noted that there was a not know about. The audience needs to have a attributed this to a long-time mindset of Tamils short-lived respite in the first few months of the new mechanism to know who the media owners are to thinking that all Sinhalese were bad, and Sinhalese government in 2015 when state media broadcast understand bias in the respective media outlets—but thinking that all Tamils were terrorists. This has been multiple views from all political parties and this is well-hidden. “Even if you get to know who the reflected in the stances the respective media outlets segments in the country. “We called several political directors of the company are, it may just be a front have taken, he said. parties for discussions at the start, but that only for someone else,” he said. Nallaperuma quipped lasted three months. Soon we went back to being that even details from the company’s registration Multiple news sources provide citizens partisan,” said de Silva. may not reveal who really owns the company, with reliable and objective news. Sri Lanka has no issue with citizens accessing making transparency in media ownership very alternative news sources or international media murky. PLURALITY OF NEWS SOURCES INDICATORS outlets such as Reuters, Agency France-Presse Dhasanayake, however, pointed that normally ▶▶A plurality of affordable ▶▶Independent broadcast (AFP) or the Associated Press (AP). Some dailies publishing houses do not receive a license to start public and private media produce their news sources (e.g., own news programs. also carry a section on international news as a television network from the Telecommunications print, broadcast, part of their own coverage. The Weekend Express Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) even Internet) exists. ▶▶Transparency of media ownership allows newspaper, which has ties with The New York Times, though a person owning a television network can ▶▶Citizens’ access consumers to judge publishes the latter’s articles in its own paper every start a newspaper, since permits are not required to domestic or objectivity of news; day. This publication is circulated with the Tamil for newspapers. A study of the list of licensed international media media ownership is paper Veerakesari and reaches Tamil audiences who broadcasters registered with the TRCSL proves this is not restricted. not concentrated in a few conglomerates. read English. Veerakesari, according to Fairooz, has to be true. ▶▶State or public media also partnered with the Indian daily Tamil language Regarding the issue of media highlighting a reflect the views of ▶▶A broad spectrum of the entire political social interests are newspaper Dina Thanthi to publish some parts of broad range of voices, Weerasinghe observed that spectrum, are reflected and represented its own newspaper daily as an insert in Veerakesari. the Colombo-centric media industry still tends to nonpartisan, and serve in the media, including This allows local audiences to receive news from only concentrate on bringing out the voices of the the public interest. minority-language information sources. India along with their local newspaper. so-called Colombo elite. “When someone outside of ▶▶Independent news With regard to media ownership, the panelists this circle is reported on, they are more often than agencies gather and ▶▶Broadcast ratings, discussed the growing trend of conglomerates not victims in some tragedy. It is never a positive distribute news for print circulation figures, and broadcast media. and Internet statistics in Sri Lanka’s media industry. These conglom- story,” he said. are reliable. erates are owned by a few individuals who tend to Fairooz felt that minority voices are not given

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For Dodawatta, to whom the media reflects newspaper or watch television. Additionally, removed. Nallaperuma highlighted how his own the society it operates in, the media is ingrained to a weakening economy in the country has daily newspaper, Lakbima News, had to be shut reflect the view of the majority in any society, which decreased advertising revenue for many media down in mid-2018, as it was no longer profitable has the most reach. Considerations about diversity outlets. Further, the panelists pointed out that to run. Another Sinhala broadsheet called Rivira are not part and parcel of it. the increasing price of newsprint in the global which printed both a daily and weekly shut down in Dhasanayake, speaking from the perspective of market, coupled with the government’s decision January 2018. They had already closed down their working in a Sinhala media outlet, said that at times to increase the tax on imported newsprint, have English weekly The Nation in December 2017. Apart they could not cover issues of all ethnic groups due doubled the price of newsprint in Sri Lanka since from this, the Sinhala language weeklies Janayugaya to a lack of resources and language barriers. Many late 2018. This led many smaller publications and and Sathhanda also closed operations in January in the Sinhala media do not understand Tamil, so struggling newspapers to close down operations 2018 as a result of their main financiers pulling out. they do not have access to their news. People from in late 2018. The former had only been started in April 2017. all ethnic groups work for English newspapers, so there is no language barrier to news. To help break Raguram noted that the main problem lies in “We have become more profit driven than this barrier, Dhasanayake noted that he has taken media companies not having alternative business [public] service oriented,” Sabesan observed. steps to publish half-a-page of news every week models to that of direct advertising: All depend which is carried in all Tamil newspapers. Verite on advertising revenue with no other alternative As legacy media struggles, more online Research helps him collate the news from each sources of income. Weerasinghe added that only a platforms have also popped up. According to language publication every week. few commercial enterprises in Sri Lanka advertise, Fairooz, however, these have also not been making Daskon who works with those with disabilities and thus there is a limited amount of advertising much money, as people have not caught up to the noted that, apart from language, few outlets cater revenue to go around, and it has not increased over idea of online advertising. While many start news to the deaf and blind community. Only the state-run the years. As a result, many of these media outlets websites given the low overhead costs, they do not media outlets have sign language interpreters during get their money from political outlets. “They are not last long given that advertising is hard to obtain. their daily news broadcast and no media outlet making profit,” he said. Sabesan observed that it is The media companies that are doing caters to the braille reading community. imperative that media be commercially independent, well in the country are ABC Network, Derana Overall, the panelists argued that there is little but many are facing the issue of generating revenue Television Network, and the publishing house interest in diversifying media content and in catering in the industry. Sadly, this has also compromised the Wijeya Newspapers Pvt Ltd. ABC Network and to diverse audiences primarily because of the lack quality of news. “We have become more profit driven Derana started off in radio and television and then of will among the management, which again is only than [public] service oriented,” he observed. diversified into publishing. Though some observed motivated by profit. According to Nallaperuma, Sri Lanka has to that these two companies may also be receiving also deal with the limitations of a small market. In funds from other political sources, the companies India, newspapers print many editions, and there have done well in terms of popularity and ratings. OBJECTIVE 4: is more print because India has a larger market. In Wijeya Newspapers—which publish the newspapers BUSINESS 1.57 contrast, Sri Lanka prints a very small numbers of Daily Mirror (English) and Lankadeepa (Sinhala)— MANAGEMENT newspapers, and companies cannot make much of a have the highest circulation. Being a privately-run Following global trends, Sri Lankan media are profit in a small market. In spite of that, competition media organization, it is able to maintain a modicum struggling financially. Competition from free within the Sri Lankan market is also high, he added. of independence in reporting and is increasingly online sources for news and social media plays He explained that earlier the government used to using social media and online platforms to promote a crucial role in the spreading of information, provide newspapers with tax concessions on the their newspapers, which has garnered them a wider making people less likely to purchase a import of newsprint, but those have been recently reach.

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Apart from this, Dhassanayake noted that MBC In Jaffna, many outlets are being sustained with the authorities in order to get government Network, under which television stations such as on diaspora investments, according to Raguram, advertising. Sirasa TV (Sinhala) operate, has begun producing but he observed that many of them do not have a Many panelists complained that advertising Sinhala films in order to generate additional income sustainable business plan to keep it going once the has started to take precedence over news. to supplement their news stations. Other publishing funding dries up. Dhassanayake noted that it is only Derana and the houses, such as the state-owned publishing house Regarding the role of advertising agencies, ABC Network which maintains the 1:3 ratio between Associated Newspapers of Ceylon, run their own Weerasinghe said few agencies control the whole advertising and news as they are financially viable commercial printing section to supplement their market; in addition to that, there are buying agencies enough to dictate terms to the agencies. income along with publishing newspapers. which are controlling the space available for Regarding government subsidies in the media Fairooz added that his own company which advertising. “All in all, advertising agencies dictate sector, de Silva stated that her own station is legally mainly publishes Tamil newspapers such as the media industry,” he said. These agencies, based defined as being semi-government and is registered Veerakesari had entered into agreements with in Colombo, are mainly multinationals—such as under the Company Act. As a result, they need to newspapers in southern India such as Dina Thanthi Leo Bernett and Ogilvy— mixed with Sri Lankan earn their own revenue with little support from the to publish a pullout of the latter’s paper in the companies, including Triad, Phoenix and Grants. government. Veerakesari publication. This has helped the southern Dhassanayake relating his experiences with According to the moderator Ashoka Darshana, Indian Tamil-language paper reach a wider audience his own newspaper Ada, which is the second the state-run radio stations, Sri Lanka Broadcasting in Sri Lanka, and advertising from India or Sri Lanka Sinhala daily published by his company Wijeya Corporation and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, published in that pullout is shared among the two Newspapers, said although his newspaper has made are heavily subsidized by the government, and the companies. it to the number two position in the field, advertising money allocated for capital expenditure is being companies refuse to place ads with it because used to pay employee salaries, as these organi- Independent media are well-managed they have already given his company their quota zations at present generate little profit. businesses, allowing editorial independence. of advertising. According to him, all of the agencies Nallaperuma also noted that in the last two

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS simply want to evenly spread out advertising years the government had also made a decision revenue between all media outlets regardless of to advertise government gazettes, circulars, ▶▶Media outlets and ▶▶Independent media supporting firms operate do not receive their readership or circulation. job opportunities, and the like in state-owned as efficient, professional, government subsidies. These agencies are also growing in power, newspapers, mainly to increase their revenues. and profit-generating and Dhassanayake noted that they dictate editorial Private media, too, depend on government businesses. ▶▶Market research is used to formulate policies in many media outlets. Some companies advertising, but they do not receive any concessions ▶▶Media receive revenue strategic plans, who support certain political figures ask that the from the government. At times the powerful from a multitude enhance advertising media outlet not publish anything against the ministers within the government use this as of sources. revenue, and tailor products to the politician they support. They ask that the media a bargaining chip to control the media, noted ▶▶Advertising agencies and needs and interests outlet listen to them in order to get advertising Dhassanayake. He related how certain cabinet related industries support of audiences. an advertising market. from their company. “I am not sure for how long ministers had circulated a rumor after the constitu- ▶▶Broadcast ratings editors can fight the pressure from these agencies, tional crisis in October 2018 that media institutions ▶▶Advertising revenue as and circulation especially with many running at a loss,” he said. who supported the former president would not a percentage of total figures are reliably In Jaffna, Raguram noted that the media has a receive any government advertising. “This was not a revenue is in line with and independently accepted standards at produced. love-hate relationship with the government. Though policy decision they made, it was just a rumor they commercial outlets. they support opposition voices in their newspaper, circulated. But it got the reaction they wanted,” he they are also careful to maintain good relations said.

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The panelists agreed that market research OBJECTIVE 5: Broadcasters Guild, Producers Union, Jaffna Press is not used to decide the types of stories they SUPPORTING 1.90 Club, Muslim Media Forum and Sri Lanka Tamil pursue. Dhassanyake said that his company would INSTITUTIONS Journalists Alliance are among the many organi- undertake a survey from time-to-time when the zations which have been established. Further, each circulation of their newspapers dropped, but For 2019, panelists gave a reduced score to region has its own association for local journalists. currently there is no dedicated research staff. Few this objective when compared with the 2017 Nallaperuma, however, pointed out that have the time or the means to undertake such study (1.96). While there are various bodies that although there are numerous organizations working research. work to support media in Sri Lanka—including for the benefit of journalists, they have not been able The panelists questioned the reliability and professional journalists associations, the Press to overcome many challenges in the workplace. He veracity of the broadcast ratings, circulation figures, Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka, university alleged that few stood up for journalists who have and internet statistics that media outlets publish. programs, media policy advocates, NGOs and lost their jobs in the recent past, making working These ratings are mostly dependent on self-re- international media development organizations— journalists reluctant to join these organizations. porting and are often exaggerated. many panelists questioned their effectiveness Dodawatta explained that it has been very difficult Moreover, Weerasinghe noted that one-and- and relevance in the lives of journalists in the to build strong networks within and between media a-half years ago, the government undertook a study field and expressed a desire for development in organizations, as journalists have been reluctant of the television ratings system, and the government this area. to work together to make the movement stronger. discovered that as whole none of the media organi- Dodawatta further stated that the unions and associ- zations trusted the publicly available ratings or Dodawatta, whose association works to support a ations are created for journalists and, as such, they circulation figures. “The industry is small so these culture of free media and ethical media usage, noted are interconnected. “When journalists do not join, rating companies can undertake a proper study, but that there is only one trade union working on legal the union or association is weak, and they cannot do they too do not have the money to do it,” he said. protections for journalists, the Sri Lanka Working much when things go wrong,” he noted. Further, the research methodology used by these Journalists Association (SWJA), which has not been companies is highly questionable, leading to many very successful in winning the rights of professional “Practical skills are the most important in not accepting their reports. journalists. On paper, the SWJA has a membership of journalism, so you need lecturers who have De Silva also observed that there have been over 1,200, and its goals include standing up for the technical issues with regard to the devices which right of free expression and free media, protecting practical experience in the newsroom to monitor broadcast numbers, and they are not the rights and the dignity of journalists, and teach,” remarked Weerasinghe. reliable either. enhancing professionalism. He added that they have Overall, given that most media organizations also not been very active over the past few years. Strong unions exist in state media institutions depend on quickly declining advertising revenue, Rockwood noted there are 35 recognized where employees are allowed to unionize within financially independence remains a challenge. media associations, 17 of which are national, and the organization, unlike in private media institutions. that each group had set up their own association These unions, however, are attached to a particular for various purposes. Apart from the Free Media political party, and not all of the members are Movement, the country also has the Federation professional journalists (for example, they maybe of Media Employees’ Trade Union (FMETU) which clerical or printing staff). During the October 2018 has been working actively to promote trade union constitutional crisis, Fairooz recalled how members rights of working journalists. They have been actively of a union, affiliated with a particular party in power involved in fighting for the rights of journalists at the time, forced the editorial staff of the state-run who face poor working conditions. In addition, the newspapers to print what they wanted on their

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front-page editions. One of the editors that they partner organization. he had switched from working in the media to an pressured later resigned in protest. Whether these Rockwood noted that there is no specific academic career due to a lack of compensation as a unions, at the end of the day, contribute to the degree for journalism, but Weerasinghe said Tamil language journalist. In January 2019, the Center development of the media field is questionable. that journalism was mostly taught under a mass for Investigative Reporting was launched to train Another issue greatly affecting these associ- communication degree in six universities in the journalists in the field of investigative journalism. It ations and unions is the lack of young media country. These universities include the Sri Palee is a collective effort by a group of journalists and professionals joining them. Dodawatta observed Campus in Horana, Trincomalee Campus in media trainers who wish to raise the bar in Sri that the FMM has had trouble recruiting new blood, Trincomalee, University of Kelaniya in Kelaniya, Lankan journalism. The Center has been recognized as few are interested in dedicating time and effort University of Sri Jayawardenapura in Nugegoda, the as a member by the Global Investigative Journalism towards work outside of the office. University of Jaffna in Jaffna, and the University of Network (GIJN). NGOs that work in the media sphere include Colombo in Colombo. the Sri Lanka Development Journalists Forum (SDJF, Raguram, who teaches a media and communi- Supporting institutions function in the the organization that implemented this study) which cations course at the University of Jaffna, noted that professional interests of independent media. is working to further the country’s democratic they try to their best to provide the students with gains; promote pluralism, transformation and both theoretical and practical training given the SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS INDICATORS: reconciliation; and support and train mid-career limited resources at hand. He noted that rather than ▶▶Trade associations ▶▶Quality journalism journalists on media, reconciliation, and democra- three years of course work, the degree is now being represent the interests degree programs of private media that provide tization. Organizations such as Viluthu Resource split into two years of course work and a one-year owners and provide substantial practical Centre, Centre for Policy Alternative, Prathiba Media internship program at national media outlets to member services. experience exist. network, Centre for Investigative Journalism used improve students’ practical skills. ▶▶Professional ▶▶Printing facilities to conduct various training programs on a wide “Practical skills are the most important in associations are in private range of thematic areas with the support of interna- journalism, so you need lecturers who have practical work to protect hands, apolitical, tional NGOs. Additionally, the National Secretariat experience in the newsroom to teach,” remarked journalists’ rights. and unrestricted. for Media Reforms (NSMR) works with international Weerasinghe, who also noted that there are only a ▶▶Short-term training ▶▶Channels of media media support for national media policy reform. handful of current lecturers with experience working and in-service distribution (kiosks, training programs transmitters, Internet) Apart from these, international organizations— in the media. Thus, graduates from these degree allow journalists to are private, apolitical, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists programs often have to re-learn everything when upgrade skills or and unrestricted. (CPJ), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), they enter the workplace. acquire new skills. ▶▶Information and International Freedom of Expression Exchange Given the low salary scales in the field, ▶▶Sources of newsprint communication (IFEX), Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), Raguram and Weerasinghe noted that around 95 NGOs support technology­ infra- Reporters Without Borders, Freedom House, IREX, percent of their students do not take up journalism free speech and structure sufficiently the Thompson Reuters Foundation, Internews, as a profession, even though they study it. Many independent media. meets the needs of media and citizens. and Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT)— opt, instead, to teach because teachers get better operate in the country. They provide journalists with pay. In addition, due to the lack of practical skills training opportunities, advocate for wider media they do not get hired anyway. “And there is no Kuruwita observed that journalists also receive freedom, conduct media research, work on media incentive to do better,” said Weerasinghe. Raguram training from organizations such as the Sri Lanka development, and support local media associations highlighted that the industry also needs to be Press Institute (SLPI), SLWJA, FMM, Sri Lanka to implement media programs in Sri Lanka. Some prepared to pay better if they want good quality Foundation Institute, SDJF, and Sri Lanka College work directly in Sri Lanka and some work with a graduates entering the field. In his own experience, of Journalism (SLCJ) which has greatly helped both

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junior- and senior-level journalists improve their Community media has been virtually OBJECTIVE 6: skills. Universities—such as Sri Jayawardenapura, nonexistent in Sri Lanka. The online sphere has SERVING PUBLIC 1.67 Kelaniya, and Colombo—also offer external training provided a free space for bloggers and citizen NEEDS1 courses for journalists. journalists to voice their opinions. This has also led The law does not place any restrictions on to many rural areas moving to the online sphere to The issue of whether the media truly serves the private media to purchase media equipment. Further, start their own website or social media platform to people was a difficult one and required some while there are no barriers to obtain newsprint distribute news from their own villages. There are introspection from the panelists. In Sabesan’s or any other resources for newspaper publishers, more than 100 such local news websites around opinion, to a certain extent the media does the panelists remarked that there is a thriving the country, though it has caught on mostly in the highlight the plight of the people and acts as black market in licensing the frequency spectrum north and the east. The wide availability of mobile a bridge between the government and the for television and radio broadcasters: Companies phone connections in the country, far outpacing the population. Dodawatta disagreed and argued that which are granted licenses from the government to population of the country, has also allowed youth to the media has become increasingly commer- operate then can resell them at a higher price. The gain access to the internet at a lower cost. It is these cialized, with its first priorities being to protect moderator of the MSI panel Darshana observed that groups—bloggers, citizen journalists, and youth—who its business interests and to promote profitability, frequency spectrum licensing is highly politicized practice mobile journalism and who are transforming not what people want. Working in the state and that one cannot obtain a broadcast license from how news is consumed in Sri Lanka. The panelists media, de Silva said their priority had always the TRCSL without having any political affiliations also observed that this trend shows that people been to deliver the message of the government to back them up. Weerasinghe said that there is no increasingly prefer regional news, as national media to the people. “We are given guidelines to work diversity in broadcast media, as a few individuals based in Colombo fail to provide wide coverage of within and we take information that is important own a small number of large networks as a result of issues around the country. to the government [and deliver it] to the people,” the politicization of the frequency spectrum licensing Recently, more and more organizations have she said. process and its lack of transparency. He added begun to increase training opportunities and profes- that neither the industry nor the private sector is sionalism in media. As the media landscape changes Raguram felt that most mainstream media outlets interested in introducing a transparent and legal and the industry needs to modernize, journalists are only interested in putting forward their opinions mechanism for licensing. too have started to feel the need to improve their to the public, and as a result there is a vacuum Weerasinghe recalled that in 2018 the Minister skills. The biggest challenge here lies in media trade when it comes to media driving public debate on of Finance and Mass Media had appointed a unions and organizations being able to adequately issues of public interest. While there has been some committee to look into how an independent step up to protect journalists as companies progress within the media to serve as a forum for regulatory authority could be established to grant increasingly downsize or change the nature of their democratic policy-making, the panelists expressed licenses to ensure that more players enter the field. business. doubts about whether that it is sufficient to make a As a member of that committee, Weerasinghe said significant difference. For example, when there was it had prepared a draft act to address this issue. a dengue epidemic in 2018, all media organizations Although the government had started to address the came together voluntarily to carry out public health issue of diversity in broadcast media licensing, he messages for the prevention of dengue. Additionally, noted that there was little support from the industry for the draft act, as they feared that they would lose their own licenses in the process. Journalists unions 1 Objective 6 is a separate study from Objectives 1 through 5 of the Media Sustainability Index. This objective is measured were also not in favor of it, for fear that it may using unique indicators (described in the methodology section impact their jobs. below).

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in times of natural disaster media outlets drive in places where issues are debated and policies are In such an environment, does the public trust campaigns to raise funds to help the affected. formulated. the media? Raguram noted that to some extent, it Finally, some media outlets run campaigns on Weerasinghe highlighted how the current does; however, one would need to read multiple education while others, such as MTV/MBC, mobilize debate on the formulation of a new constitution is a newspapers or watch many television channels social capital and generate funding to address prime example of how everything takes place behind to get an overall perspective of the same news developmental needs. However, some could argue closed doors. The media has also not taken any steps story. Michael J R David, former BBC producer and that these are not the primary role of media. to promote constructive discussion on this issue, working director of SLBC further added that very Reiterating his view on the diversity of news instead resorting simply to reporting what each few citizens seem to question the reliability of the sources, Weerasinghe stressed that most of the “extremist” side said about the process. Thus, the news or the multiple perspectives that are offered articles and discussions on public issues in the discussion is limited to opportunistic politicians. Few for the same news item. mainstream media only amplify the voice of the today truly know what the new constitution looks In terms of peace-building, Najmuddin said Colombo elite and that the general public is not like or what they would like to see included in it. local media was rather biased and, as demonstrated given sufficient space to air their views or concerns. during the ‘Digana’ riots in March of 2018, many The panelists were of the view that a small circle The media serve citizens by providing social network sites and news websites resorted to of activists, politicians, and academics tend to useful and relevant news and information spreading misinformation rather than helping calm dominate media circles, and it is their opinions and facilitating public debate. tensions between Muslim and Sinhalese groups in and voices that are being put forward through the country. The tensions stemmed from a scuffle mainstream media. This may be because many SERVING PUBLIC NEEDS INDICATORS: between a Sinhalese truck driver and four Muslim media outlets are reluctant to send reporters out to ▶▶The media promote ▶▶Citizens trust that individuals over a traffic incident in Digana, in the and facilitate inclusive news and information the regions or to talk with marginalized groups to discussions about reported by the Central Province, that resulted in the death of the understand how they feel, as it is inconvenient. local, national, and media accurately driver. Given the ethnic background of the alleged international issues reflects reality. assaulters, the situation escalated into an ethnic “Letters written to the editor from the public (social, political, riot as Sinhalese mobs attacked Muslim businesses economic, etc.) that are ▶▶It is possible for citizens at times provide citizens with more valuable important to citizens. to recognize partisan, and villages in the area. News spreading over social editorial, or advertorial media and other platforms fueled the flames further. information than our newspapers,” Mohan ▶▶Reporting and content as such. A social media blackout for a few days and the discussion in the media wrote in her questionnaire. support democratic ▶▶Editorial and partisan deployment of the army after a week calmed the policymaking, media content is a situation. Local religious leaders and civil society constructive part of Ceylon Today Deputy Editor Sulochana Ramiah government leaders also stepped in to broker peace between the transparency, national dialogue; media Mohan said that media also mostly focuses on equitable regulatory refrain from including two communities. political news instead of news which serves to enforcement, and “hate speech” content. Velraj said the media often does not discuss improve the knowledge base of citizens. “Letters consumer protection. ▶▶The media expose their role as peace-builders and reporting the written to the editor from the public at times provide ▶▶News and information citizens to multiple news takes precedence over the common good. citizens with more valuable information than our provided by the media viewpoints and Raguaram noted that hate speech has become is relevant to, and experiences of citizens newspapers,” she wrote in her questionnaire. from various social, normal in news reporting with little consideration to Daskon observed advocacy within Sri Lanka informs, the choices journalism ethics. Referencing the Digana incident, and decisions (social, political, regional, (especially with regard to people with disabilities) political, economic, gender, ethnic, Dhassanyake stated that while social media and is limited to Colombo-centric advocates, and one etc.) made by citizens. religious, confessional, online media were running amok, mainstream etc., groups. rarely sees the participation of those really affected media organizations had collectively decided not to

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report inflammatory news items in order to preserve List of Panel Participants Moderator peace in the area. Having experienced the negative Pradeep Weerasinghe, senior lecturer in mass Ashoka Dharshana, visiting lecturer in journalism impacts of major ethnic riots during 1983 and in the media, University of Colombo and Chairman of the and communication studies at the Sanasa University recent past, mainstream media took a thoughtful National Secretariat for Media Reforms, Badulla and news editor (English) at the Independent decision not cover emotionally-driven news content Television Network, Colombo such as violence, destruction, and hatred related to Sukumar Rockwood, CEO, Sri Lanka Press Complaints Commission, Colombo the Digana incident. Author An increase in public criticism over the actions Sivasubramanium Raguram, senior lecturer in of media institutions and the manner in which they Zahrah Imtiaz, journalist and independent media media studies, University of Jaffna, Jaffna report has also led to certain reforms taking place analyst, Colombo. in the industry. Nalleperuma said that as the public Mohamed Fairooz, chief editor, Saturday Vidivelli, The panel discussion was convened on February 9, start to criticize and highlight unethical reporting Batticaloa 2019. more, mainstream media institutions have started Vaishnavy Velraj, assistant news editor, Red FM, to re-think the way in which they operate. “There Wattala is now definitely more space for criticism of the media,” added Dhassanayake. Jamila Najmuddin, editor, News in Asia, Colombo Samanthika de Silva, executive producer, Independent Television Network, Colombo Rathindra Kuruwita, news editor, Island, Malwana Sabesan Arumukarasa, senior sub-editor, Yarl Thinakkaral, Jaffna Sanjaya Nallaperuma, senior political columnist, Lakbima News, Galle Kanchana Dhasanayake, chief editor, Ada, Colombo Lasanthi Daskon, women’s and disabilities rights activist, IFES Sri Lanka, Colombo Chandrasekara Dodawatta, convener, Free Media Movement, Colombo Sulochana Ramiah Mohan, deputy editor, Ceylon Today, Colombo Michael J R David, former BBC producer and working director, SLBC, Nugegoda

18 MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY INDEX 2019 METHODOLOGYSRI LANKA IREX prepared the MSI in cooperation with USAID as a representatives from the capital city and other geographic IREX editorial staff members review the panelists’ tool to assess the development of media systems over regions, and they reflect gender, ethnic, and religious scores, and then provide a set of scores for the country, time and across countries. IREX staff, USAID, and other diversity as appropriate. For consistency from year to year, independently of the panel. This score carries the same media-development professionals contributed to the at least half of the previous year’s participants are included weight as an individual panelist. The average of all individual development of this assessment tool. on the following year’s panel. IREX identifies and works with indicator scores within the objective determines the a local or regional organization or individual to oversee the objective score. The overall country score is an average of The MSI assesses five “objectives” in shaping a successful process. all five objectives. media system: The scoring is completed in two parts. First, panel In some cases where conditions on the ground are such 1. Legal and social norms protect and promote free speech participants are provided with a questionnaire and that panelists might suffer legal retribution or physical and access to public information. explanations of the indicators and scoring system. threats as a result of their participation, IREX will opt to 2. Journalism meets professional standards of quality. Descriptions of each indicator clarify their meanings allow some or all of the panelists and the moderator/author and help organize the panelist’s thoughts. For example, to remain anonymous. In severe situations, IREX does not 3. Multiple news sources provide citizens with reliable, the questionnaire asks the panelist to consider not engage panelists as such; rather the study is conducted objective news. only the letter of the legal framework, but its practical through research and interviews with those knowledgeable 4. Media are well-managed enterprises, allowing editorial implementation, too. A country without a formal free- of the media situation in that country. Such cases are independence. dom-of-information law that enjoys customary government appropriately noted in relevant chapters. openness may well outperform a country that has a strong In 2017, IREX completed Objective 6 in the Sri Lanka study as 5. Supporting institutions function in the professional law on the books that is frequently ignored. Furthermore, a separate but related study to rate the extent to which the interests of independent media. the questionnaire does not single out any one type of traditional media (such as newspapers and broadcasters) media as more important than another; rather it directs These objectives were judged to be the most important and new media (blogs and other online or mobile formats) the panelist to consider the salient types of media and to aspects of a sustainable and professional independent capture citizen concerns in a non-partisan manner. For determine if an underrepresentation, if applicable, of one media system, and serve as the criteria against which 2019, these questions were incorporated into the same media type impacts the sustainability of the media sector countries are rated. A score is attained for each objective by questionnaire and panel session with the other five as a whole. In this way, we capture the influence of public, rating between seven and nine indicators, which determine objectives, but as in the previous MSI study the score for private, national, local, community, and new media. Each how well a country meets that objective. The objectives, Objective 6 was not included in the overall score calculation. panelist reviews the questionnaire individually and scores indicators, and scoring system are presented below. Panelists from civil society--including academics, bloggers, each indicator. Scoring: A Local Perspective media analysts, human rights and other NGO leaders--were The panelists then assemble to analyze and discuss the added to give additional perspectives on how the media The primary source of information is a panel of local objectives and indicators. While panelists may choose to serves citizens. experts that IREX assembles in each country to serve as change their scores based upon discussions, IREX does This objective assesses the media’s ability to serve as panelists. These experts are drawn from the country’s not promote consensus on scores among panelists. The a facilitator of public debate and as an outlet for citizen media outlets, NGOs, professional associations, and panel moderator (in most cases a representative of the voices. It measures the capacity of media to hold politicians, academic institutions. Panelists may be editors, reporters, host-country institutional partner or a local individual) business, and other actors accountable. The objective and media managers or owners, advertising and marketing prepares a written analysis of the discussion, which IREX indicators for all objectives are listed in the tables below. specialists, lawyers, professors or teachers, or human rights staff members edit subsequently. Names of the individual observers. Additionally, panels comprise the various types panelists and the partner organization or individual appear of media represented in a country. The panels also include at the end of each country chapter.

19 MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY INDEX 2019 METHODOLOGYSRI LANKA

I. Objectives and Indicators

Objective #1: Legal and social norms protect and Objective #2: Journalism meets professional Objective #3: Multiple news sources provide promote free speech and access to public information. standards of quality. citizens with reliable, objective news.

Legal and social norms protect and promote Journalism meets professional Multiple news sources provide citizens free speech and access to public information. standards of quality. with reliable and objective news.

FREE-SPEECH INDICATORS PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM INDICATORS PLURALITY OF NEWS SOURCES INDICATORS ▶▶Legal and social ▶▶Libel is a civil law issue; ▶▶Reporting is fair, ▶▶Entertainment ▶▶A plurality of affordable ▶▶Independent broadcast protections of free public officials are held objective, and programming does public and private media produce their speech exist and to higher standards, well sourced. not eclipse news news sources (e.g., own news programs. are enforced. and offended parties and information print, broadcast, must prove falsity ▶▶Journalists follow programming. Internet) exists. ▶▶Transparency of media ▶▶Licensing of broadcast and malice. recognized and accepted ownership allows media is fair, competitive, ethical standards. ▶▶Technical facilities ▶▶Citizens’ access consumers to judge and apolitical. ▶▶Public information and equipment for to domestic or objectivity of news; is easily accessible; ▶▶Journalists and editors gathering, producing, international media media ownership is ▶▶Market entry and tax right of access to do not practice and distributing is not restricted. not concentrated in a structure for media are information is equally self-censorship. news are modern few conglomerates. fair and comparable ▶▶State or public media enforced for all media ▶▶Journalists cover key and efficient. to other industries. and journalists. reflect the views of ▶▶A broad spectrum of events and issues. ▶▶Quality niche reporting the entire political social interests are ▶▶Crimes against ▶▶Media outlets have and programming spectrum, are reflected and represented journalists or media ▶▶Pay levels for journalists unrestricted access and other media exists (investigative, nonpartisan, and serve in the media, including outlets are prosecuted to information; this is economics/business, the public interest. minority-language vigorously, but professionals are equally enforced for all sufficiently high to local, political). information sources. occurrences of such media and journalists. ▶▶Independent news crimes are rare. discourage corruption. agencies gather and ▶▶Broadcast ratings, ▶▶Entry into the distribute news for print circulation figures, ▶▶State or public media do journalism profession and broadcast media. and Internet statistics not receive preferential is free, and government are reliable. legal treatment, and imposes no licensing, law guarantees editorial restrictions, or special independence. rights for journalists.

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Objective #4: Media are well-managed enterprises, Objective #5: Supporting institutions function in the Objective #6: The media serve citizens by providing allowing editorial independence. professional interests of independent media. useful and relevant news and information and facili- tating public debate. Independent media are well-managed Supporting institutions function in the The media serve citizens by providing businesses, allowing editorial independence. professional interests of independent media. useful and relevant news and information and facilitating public debate. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS INDICATORS: ▶▶Media outlets and ▶▶Independent media ▶▶Trade associations ▶▶Quality journalism SERVING PUBLIC NEEDS INDICATORS: supporting firms operate do not receive represent the interests degree programs ▶▶The media promote ▶▶Citizens trust that as efficient, professional, government subsidies. of private media that provide and facilitate inclusive news and information and profit-generating owners and provide substantial practical discussions about reported by the ▶▶Market research is businesses. member services. experience exist. local, national, and media accurately used to formulate international issues reflects reality. ▶▶Media receive revenue strategic plans, ▶▶Professional ▶▶Printing facilities (social, political, from a multitude enhance advertising associations are in private economic, etc.) that are ▶▶It is possible for citizens of sources. revenue, and tailor work to protect hands, apolitical, important to citizens. to recognize partisan, products to the journalists’ rights. and unrestricted. editorial, or advertorial ▶▶Advertising agencies and needs and interests ▶▶Reporting and content as such. related industries support ▶▶Short-term training ▶▶Channels of media of audiences. discussion in the media an advertising market. and in-service distribution (kiosks, support democratic ▶▶Editorial and partisan ▶▶Broadcast ratings training programs transmitters, Internet) media content is a ▶▶Advertising revenue as policymaking, and circulation allow journalists to are private, apolitical, constructive part of a percentage of total government figures are reliably upgrade skills or and unrestricted. national dialogue; media revenue is in line with transparency, and independently acquire new skills. refrain from including accepted standards at ▶▶Information and equitable regulatory produced. “hate speech” content. commercial outlets. ▶▶Sources of newsprint communication enforcement, and NGOs support technology­ infra- consumer protection. ▶▶The media expose free speech and structure sufficiently ▶▶News and information citizens to multiple independent media. meets the needs of provided by the media viewpoints and media and citizens. is relevant to, and experiences of citizens informs, the choices from various social, and decisions (social, political, regional, political, economic, gender, ethnic, etc.) made by citizens. religious, confessional, etc., groups.

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II. Scoring System B. Objective and Overall Scoring A. Indicator Scoring

Panelists are directed to score each indicator from 0 to 4, using whole or half The average scores of all the indicators are averaged to obtain a single, overall points. Guidance on how to score each indicator is as follows: score for each objective. Objective scores are averaged to provide an overall score for the country. IREX interprets the overall scores as follows: 0 = Country does not meet the indicator; government or social forces may actively oppose its implementation. Unsustainable, Anti-Free Press (0–1): Country does not meet or only minimally meets objectives. Government and laws actively hinder free media development, 1 = Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator; forces may not actively professionalism is low, and media-industry activity is minimal. oppose its implementation, but business environment may not support it and government or profession do not fully and actively support change. Unsustainable Mixed System (1–2): Country minimally meets objectives, with segments of the legal system and government opposed to a free media system. 2 = Country has begun to meet many aspects of the indicator, but progress Evident progress in free-press advocacy, increased professionalism, and new may be too recent to judge or still dependent on current government or media businesses may be too recent to judge sustainability. political forces. Near Sustainability (2–3): Country has progressed in meeting multiple 3 = Country meets most aspects of the indicator; implementation of the objectives, with legal norms, professionalism, and the business environment indicator has occurred over several years and/or through changes in supportive of independent media. Advances have survived changes in government, indicating likely sustainability. government and have been codified in law and practice. However, more time may be needed to ensure that change is enduring and that increased profes- 4 = Country meets the aspects of the indicator; implementation has sionalism and the media business environment are sustainable. remained intact over multiple changes in government, economic fluctu- ations, changes in public opinion, and/or changing social conventions. Sustainable (3–4): Country has media that are considered generally professional, free, and sustainable, or to be approaching these objectives. Systems supporting independent media have survived multiple governments, economic fluctuations, and changes in public opinion or social conventions.

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