Lankan editors tell Cameron to reconsider press control law
The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka has sent an open letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron asking him to reconsider the Royal Charter or blueprint which might curb Britain’s press freedom which hitherto has been seen as a beacon of light by the world. In the letter signed by EGSL president Siri Ranasinghe, the editors said the fundamental bedrock of any democracy must be a free and independent press totally out of the reach of the politicians and apparatus of the state that it reports on. This was a historic matter of fact, and one that Britain had long proudly espoused, it said.
The editors said: “When looking into the eyes of those your Government believe have veered from the path of democracy, British Prime Ministers and Foreign Secretaries alike will need to be able to speak with conviction and surety.
“Indeed, we in Sri Lanka have had our share of outstanding issues with governments that have placed obstacles against a free and unfettered press, and we have often cited press freedom in the United Kingdom as a shining example to be followed in the Commonwealth.
“We cannot underestimate the concern that many of us feel in Sri Lanka and, we understand across the Commonwealth because of the actions of the British Government with the signing of a Royal Charter, which any way it is looked at, gives politicians their first foray into regulation of newspapers.
“Since countries like Sri Lanka regained their Independence, and the advent of the Commonwealth, Britain acted as a beacon of freedom to the oppressed across the world. The actions of your Government now send out a different blueprint to those seeking to control the press.
“Democracy across the world shudders at what is happening in the United Kingdom and Britain, unfortunately stands smaller in the world as a result of your Government’s actions.
“Please, Prime Minister, on behalf of those who care for democracy, freedom and Commonwealth values, reconsider the actions of your Government.”