The executive council of the opposition led by the SJB yesterday (05) declared it will unanimously oppose the proposed Broadcasting Authority Act.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa announced the decision and said the parties will work together in parliament and outside to defeat the proposed legislation which seeks to destroy the remnants of the country’s democracy.
“We will take every measure possible to oppose and defeat the Broadcasting Authority Act. A free media is the fourth pillar in a democracy. The world accepts free media as the fourth check and balance while strengthening the democratic system through checks and balances of the legislature, the executive and the judiciary,” he noted.
Premadasa accused the government of attempting to destroy free media through the proposed legislation that violates the constitution and is anti-democratic.
“It is rigid and will hamper the freedom of the people. “All media organisations must band together to defeat it,” he said.
Premadasa said steps must be taken to ensure the protection of the freedom of media and defeat the many death blows being dealt to the country’s democracy.
