Antena

According to the media organizations the new licencing procedures give powers to the media minister to cancell the licence of any private TV channel on grounds of national security, ethnic, religious or cultural hatred as well as decency issues.

The free media movement and five other media organizations joined in a press conference to denounce the new licensing procedure out lined through a special gazette validated since 10th of October 2008.

The editor’s guild and the Sri Lanka Press institution also joined in the press briefing.

“This is an attempt to control private television as the minister wishes” said Sunanda Deshapriya spokesman of the Free Media movement.

Deshpriya pointed out that if this gazette notification is enacted electronic media in Sri Lanka fall to the level of Burma and Zimbabwe where private media is strictly controlled by Government.

Uvindu Kuru kulasorriya of the Free Media Movement said that this notification presents a conflict of interest as the media minister already controls the state owned electronic media.

“We need an independent broadcasting authority" said Kuru kulasorriya.

Media organizations said that they are seeking advice on the possibility of legal recourse.