International assessment mission for a closer look at local media scene

The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), together with International Media Support (IMS) in Denmark and the Open Society Foundation, has organised an International Assessment Mission to Sri Lanka by leading media development and advocacy organisations. The mission which began on May 8 and will conti ue until May 14.

The Mission comprises senior level representatives from Article 19, Centre for Law and Democracy in Canada, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Open Society Foundation, South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN), UNESCO and IMS.

During the seven days, the mission will meet key political leaders, senior government officials and media industry stakeholders, as well as have consultations with academics, media researchers and civil society groups. This visit will also include a visit to Jaffna to meet a cross section of journalists and academics in the North, a press release from the SLPI said.

The Mission will coincide with the National Media Summit being organised by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information, University of Colombo, SLPI and IMS, scheduled for May 13 and 14, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo 7, the release said.

Based on stakeholder consultations, the Mission plans to assess the media situation in Sri Lanka and identify the main challenges, opportunities and needs. This process will result in specific recommendations to be discussed further at the National Media Summit, and to be considered for international support in media sector reforms and development, the release added. The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) is a body incorporated, constituted by the Newspaper Society of Sri Lanka, The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka, the Free Media Movement and Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, with its main objectives being “to assist, encourage and facilitate the Press to exercise and uphold its freedom and be responsible to the Public”.

The SLPI is the country’s leading institution that envisages development of media in Sri Lanka through professional training and upholding ethics. It has two major divisions, the Sri Lanka College of Journalism (SLCJ) which handles training of journalists, and the Press Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka (PCCSL) that operates as a mediator between the public and the media.

International Media Support (IMS) is a non-profit organisation working globally to support local media in countries affected by armed conflict, human insecurity and political transition. Across four continents, IMS helps to promote press freedom, strengthen professional journalism and ensure that media can operate in challenging circumstances.