WAN-IFRA welcomes President’s assurance of media freedom

We have noted with interest, several meetings you had with newspaper and other media heads and your assurances to them that there are no threats to media and they have the freedom to write factually

In a congratulatory message to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, World Association of Newspapers (WAN-IFRA) President Vincent Peyregne yesterday welcomed the President’s assurances of media freedom.

Mr. Peyregne on February 12 congratulated the election of Mr. Rajapaksa as President of Sri Lanka with an overwhelming mandate from the citizens.

“We have noted with interest, several meetings you had with newspaper and other media heads and your assurances to them that there are no threats to media and they have the freedom to write factually.

As the largest newspaper organisation in the world with an international membership of more than 3000 media institutions, we welcome your statements of assurances of media freedom as enshrined and guaranteed by Article 14(1)(A) in the Constitution of Sri Lanka which as stated, “gives every citizen the freedom of speech and expressions including publications.”

We may point out that in the free world, democratic governments have permitted newspapers to be regulated on the principles of selfregulation rather than on statutory laws like Press Council Act, which includes a provision to jail publishers and editors.

We hope you will support the concept of self-regulation in Sri Lanka and a successful tenure during your Presidency,” the congratulatory message said.