Sri Lanka’s journalist groups have raised concern over the government’s decision to enter into agreements with Chinese media institutions during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to Beijing.
Anidda Newspaper reported that several media forums expressed concern after the government last week said proposals were approved for partnerships with Chinese media outlets aimed at capacity building.
The Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) Chairperson Duminda Sampath criticized the move, stating that the timing of the agreements remains questionable. “Chinese media are largely seen as state-controlled entities, not independent outlets. At a time when Sri Lankan journalists are advocating for reform to ensure media independence, especially with state media, this decision is deeply troubling,” he said.
Sampath warned that such agreements could pave the way for foreign influence over Sri Lanka’s media landscape. He also accused the government of bypassing consultations with the country’s media community, describing the lack of transparency as a threat to press freedom.
Meanwhile, Lasantha De Silva of the Free Media Movement echoed these concerns, calling for the government to disclose the contents of the agreements before signing. “We have long called for media to function with social responsibility, not as government mouthpieces. What do these agreements entail, and how will they impact the country? The public should have been made aware of these,” De Silva said.
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health and Mass Media is expected to sign MOUs with China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) and state-owned Xinhua News Agency to facilitate capacity-building programs for officials and journalists.
The agreements include partnerships between Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (Lake House) and Xinhua, as well as collaborations between the Department of Government Information, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, and Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation with China Media Group, according to the government. (Newswire)