On October 4, 2024, the Media Law Forum hosted a comprehensive awareness program at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, targeting students from the mass media departments of both Kelaniya University and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The event provided a detailed exploration of Sri Lanka’s media law landscape, offering critical insights into the evolving legal and regulatory frameworks shaping the media industry today.
The program began with an overview of essential media laws in Sri Lanka, covering both foundational legal principles and recent developments. Students examined the impact of digital transformation on the media sector, analyzing the challenges and opportunities it presents to media professionals in an ever-changing regulatory environment.
A key highlight of the event was the discussion on the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), with a thorough explanation of its importance, particularly in media and journalism. Students explored how the PDPA affects media practice and gained a deeper understanding of how personal data is handled within the industry under this legislation.
The program also featured practical insights into media laws, including discussions on notable case laws and their real-world implications for journalists and media organizations.
In addition to the legal aspects, the event covered the ethical and professional responsibilities of journalists, addressing the role of ethics in media, the challenges of ethical dilemmas in modern journalism, and an overview of professional standards and codes of conduct. These discussions ensured that students left with a well-rounded perspective on responsible media practice.
This initiative aimed to equip aspiring media professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate Sri Lanka’s dynamic media law environment while fostering a commitment to ethical journalism and professionalism in their future careers.
