Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has sparked concern among media professionals after warning that television broadcast licences may be revoked if channels fail to comply with conditions set by the Ministry. His remarks, delivered on 29 December at an event honouring journalists for promoting public health awareness, have raised questions about the balance between regulation and press freedom.
Jayatissa stated that all TV licences in Sri Lanka are temporary and conditional, stressing:
“This is not a game. When you work in this field, you are dealing with public trust, national frequencies, and immense responsibility. News reporting cannot be careless or harmful to the public. We are not prepared to treat this matter lightly.”
A Warning That Sounds Like a Threat
While the Minister emphasised the need for accuracy and ethical reporting, his assertion that licences could be revoked for non-compliance has been interpreted by some as a potential threat to editorial independence. Critics argue that such statements, if not accompanied by clear safeguards, risk creating a climate of fear and self-censorship among broadcasters.
Jayatissa expressed concern over TV news segments reading newspaper headlines and adding personal opinions, warning that this could mislead audiences on sensitive issues such as health. He further noted that incorrect figures or commentary could have “severe consequences” and reiterated that the Ministry holds the authority to cancel licences if broadcasts harm public health.
Media Freedom vs. Regulatory Oversight
The Minister said formal notices would precede any licence revocation, but the underlying message was clear: compliance is mandatory. This raises critical questions about whether regulatory enforcement could be misused to silence dissenting voices or restrict critical reporting.
“If public trust in the health sector is eroded, nothing meaningful can be achieved afterward,” Jayatissa concluded, framing accuracy as essential for national progress. However, media advocates warn that the real challenge lies in ensuring that the pursuit of accuracy does not become a pretext for curbing press freedom.