Note by journalist Tharindu Jayawardena:
It is essential to address the issue of media credentials and their legitimacy in Sri Lanka. Many parties, including law enforcement officials, often demand a ‘media ID’ from journalists engaged in reporting, assuming that they possess a valid media ID card issued by the Department of Government Information.
However, it is crucial to clarify that the Media ID provided by the Department of Government Information holds no legal validity, as acknowledged by the very department itself in writing.
Regrettably, both journalists and law enforcement officers are largely unaware of the non-binding nature of the ID card issued by the Department of Government Information.
Moreover, the practice of news websites requesting visitors to register lacks any legal basis.
In light of these concerns, I took the initiative to challenge this matter at the Human Rights Commission on behalf of MediaLK, an endeavor that garnered the Commission’s acknowledgment and recommendations.
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a journalist are being compromised due to the absence of a media ID card or lack of registration with the Department of Government Information, I encourage you to stand up against it promptly. By reaching out to YJA (Sri Lanka Young Journalists’ Association), we can offer our assistance.
Let us collectively strive to uphold the rights and freedoms of journalists in Sri Lanka.
Tharindu Jayawardene – [email protected]
