Media Law Forum

08/05/2026

Media Law Forum Strengthens Digital Election Reporting Skills of Derana Media Network Journalists

The Media Law Forum continued its media capacity-building initiatives by conducting a Sinhala-language workshop for journalists attached to the Derana Media Network on April 28, 2026. The programme focused on strengthening professional standards and enhancing digital election reporting skills in the rapidly evolving media environment.

The workshop brought together journalists and digital media professionals from the Derana Media Network to discuss the growing challenges associated with election coverage in the digital era. Special attention was given to the responsibility of media institutions in ensuring transparency, accountability, and public trust during electoral periods.

During the session, participants engaged in discussions on emerging trends, risks, and ethical responsibilities linked to digital journalism in an increasingly polarized and fast-paced information landscape.

Experts from the Media Law Forum facilitated discussions on key topics including the monitoring of campaign finance and political advertising on social media platforms, misinformation, and the ethical use of generative AI in news production. The programme also highlighted the importance of maintaining credibility, impartiality, and accuracy in election-related reporting.

The initiative was co-funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with Democracy Reporting International and Factum as part of the Media Law Forum’s ongoing efforts to promote digital media integrity and strengthen democratic values across Sri Lanka.

Democracy Reporting International Factum

(AI-generated image for display and illustrative purposes only.)

03/05/2026

🕊️ World Press Freedom Day | May 3

A free and independent media is essential for every democracy. Journalists play a vital role in informing the public, questioning power, and protecting truth in society.

Today, we stand for:
✔️ Truth
✔️ Transparency
✔️ Freedom of Expression

Journalists should be able to work without fear, pressure, intimidation, or censorship.

Press freedom is not just a right for journalists — it is a right for every citizen to access accurate and independent information.

On this World Press Freedom Day, let us reaffirm the importance of protecting media freedom and democratic values in Sri Lanka and around the world.

29/04/2026

Call for Applications

Video Production Opportunity for Environmental Journalists – Sri Lanka

We are pleased to invite applications from journalists, video storytellers, and media professionals with proven experience in visual storytelling and journalistic content production for an upcoming initiative on environmental journalism in Sri Lanka.
The selected applicants will be engaged to develop high-quality video content highlighting the key challenges faced by environmental journalists, including issues related to media freedom, journalist safety, and the broader legal and practical environment affecting environmental reporting in Sri Lanka.
Applicants should demonstrate experience in:

• journalistic video production
• documentary and short-form storytelling
• environmental reporting
• investigative journalism
• multilingual media content production

Please submit your application through the following link:
https://forms.gle/NuhSNG4nLQvpbzr99

Application Deadline: 10 May 2026

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process.
For More details, contact -
[email protected]

22/04/2026

Call for Applications

Video Production Opportunity for Environmental Journalists – Sri Lanka

We are pleased to invite applications from journalists, video storytellers, and media professionals with proven experience in visual storytelling and journalistic content production for an upcoming initiative on environmental journalism in Sri Lanka.

The selected applicants will be engaged to develop high-quality video content highlighting the key challenges faced by environmental journalists, including issues related to media freedom, journalist safety, and the broader legal and practical environment affecting environmental reporting in Sri Lanka.

Applicants should demonstrate experience in:
• journalistic video production
• documentary and short-form storytelling
• environmental reporting
• investigative journalism
• multilingual media content production

Please submit your application through the following link:

https://forms.gle/NuhSNG4nLQvpbzr99

Application Deadline: 10 May 2026

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process.

For More details, contact - [email protected]

Mobile - 074 307 0888

14/04/2026

May this New Year bring you happiness, good health, and success.

Let us stand together to protect freedom of expression and safeguard the voices of journalists who speak the truth.

May we have the courage to defend truth, uphold justice, and strengthen freedom in our society. ✨

මේ අලුත් අවුරුද්ද සතුට, සෞඛ්‍ය සහ සාර්ථකත්වයෙන් පිරිණු වසරක් වේවා!

සත්‍යය කතා කරන මාධ්‍යවේදීන්ගේ නිදහස රැක ගනිමු.

අදහස් ප්‍රකාශ කිරීමේ නිදහස සුරක්ෂිත කරමු.

නව අවුරුද්දේ සත්‍යය, නිදහස සහ යුක්තිය වෙනුවෙන් එකමුතු වෙමු! ✨

இந்த புத்தாண்டு மகிழ்ச்சி, ஆரோக்கியம் மற்றும் வெற்றியால் நிரம்பியதாக அமையட்டும்.

உண்மையைப் பேசும் செய்தியாளர்களின் சுதந்திரத்தை பாதுகாப்போம்.
கருத்துரிமையை காப்போம்.

இந்த புத்தாண்டில் உண்மை, சுதந்திரம் மற்றும் நீதி காக்க ஒன்றிணைவோம்!

06/04/2026

Media Law Forum Conducts Digital Election Reporting Training in Pambala

The Media Law Forum convened a Sinhala-language information session on 01 April 2026 in Pambala, aimed at strengthening the ability of journalists from the North Western Province to navigate the demands of election reporting within today’s digital media environment.

The session examined critical aspects of contemporary election coverage, including the revised election media guidelines in Sri Lanka (2025) with specific attention to digital and social media content. Discussions also covered campaign finance regulations governing online political advertising, standards for information accuracy, and the implications of using generative AI during election campaigns. In addition, participants were introduced to election-related and online safety laws intended to address hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation, reinforcing journalists’ expanding legal and ethical obligations.

Resource persons Dr. Viranjana Herath, Ms. Dulmini Ekanayaka (Attorney-at-Law), and Senior Journalist Mr. Lasantha De Silva led the programme, offering applied perspectives on media law, journalistic ethics, and responsible digital reporting. The interactive format encouraged participants to share field experiences and reflect on challenges specific to regional media practice in the Eastern Province.

This programme was co-funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with Democracy Reporting International (DRI) and Factum, contributing to the Media Law Forum’s wider mandate to promote credible digital journalism and strengthen democratic processes across Sri Lanka.

For More info - https://www.medialawforum.org/media-law-forum-conducts-digital-election-reporting-training-in-pambala/

Democracy Reporting International Factum

06/04/2026

Media Law Forum Hosts Election Reporting Session in Nuwara Eliya.

On Sunday, 15 March 2026, the Media Law Forum conducted a Tamil-language information session titled “Election Reporting in the Digital Era” in Nuwara Eliya, aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of journalists from Sri Lanka’s Central Province.
The session focused on key issues including the revised election media guidelines in Sri Lanka (2025), which cover digital and social media content, campaign finance laws related to digital political advertising, and information accuracy standards, including the use of generative AI during election campaigns. Participants were also briefed on election-related and online safety laws aimed at countering hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation, highlighting the increasing legal and ethical responsibilities of media professionals in the digital era.
The programme was facilitated by Dr. Viranjana Herath and Senior journalists Robert Anthony and M.G.M Fairooz, who shared expert insights on media law, digital journalism ethics, and responsible election reporting practices. Journalists actively engaged in interactive discussions, exchanging experiences and perspectives on the unique challenges of covering elections in the Central Province.
Co-funded by the European Union and conducted in partnership with Democracy Reporting International (DRI) and Factum, the initiative forms part of the Media Law Forum’s ongoing efforts to strengthen digital media integrity and promote democratic values across Sri Lanka’s regions.

More info & Photos - https://www.medialawforum.org/media-law-forum-hosts-election-reporting-session-in-nuwara-eliya/

Democracy Reporting International Factum

18/03/2026

16/03/2026

Protect Yourself Online | Digital Safety & Privacy Webinar with SLCERT

Digital Safety, Privacy & Online Freedom – Webinar Recording

This webinar, organized by Media Law Forum, features an expert from Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) discussing practical ways to stay safe in digital spaces and protect your privacy online.

As digital platforms become central to our daily lives, understanding online threats and how to safeguard personal information is essential. This session provides practical guidance on recognizing digital risks, protecting social media accounts, and responding to cyber incidents.

YouTube Link - https://youtu.be/x58qzRPhfds?si=C6LNQHIxxKrYt8Cv

🔎 Key Topics Covered

• Digital threats, cyber risks, and online harassment
• Protecting personal information and online accounts
• Safe social media use and privacy settings
• How to report cyber incidents and harmful content
• Support and guidance available through SLCERT

Digital Safety, Privacy & Online Freedom – Webinar RecordingThis webinar, organized by Media Law Forum, features an expert from Sri Lanka Computer Emergency ...

10/03/2026

Join our free webinar on Digital Safety, Privacy & Online Freedom with a expert from SLCERT, conducted by Media Law Forum. Learn practical ways to protect yourself in digital spaces and stay secure online.

Key Focus Areas:
* Digital threats & online harassment
* Protecting personal info & online accounts
* Safe social media use & privacy settings
* Reporting cyber incidents & harmful content
* Support & guidance from SLCERT

🗓 11 March 2026 | 🕕 6 PM | 💻 Zoom

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed, safe, and empowered online!

Topic: Digital Safety, Privacy & Online Freedom and learn simple ways to protect yourself in digital spaces.
Time: Mar 11, 2026 06:00 PM Colombo
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89797882172?pwd=0VsNvHUW1aIsMHudzSt27tVaEt8Utz.1

Meeting ID: 897 9788 2172
Passcode: 427715

මාධ්‍ය නීති සංසදය විසින් නොමිලේ පවත්වනු ලබන ශ්‍රී ලංකා පරිගණක හදිසි ප්‍රතිචාර සංසදයේ(SLCERT) විශේෂඥයන් සම්පත් දායකත්වය දක්වන, ඩිජිටල් ආරක්ෂාව, පෞද්ගලිකත්වය සහ මාර්ගගත නිදහස පිළිබඳ වැඩමුළුවට සම්බන්ධ වන්න. ඩිජිටල් අවකාශයන් තුළ ඔබව ආරක්ෂා කරගැනීමට සහ මාර්ගගතව ආරක්ෂිතව සිටීමට ප්‍රායෝගික ක්‍රම ඉගෙන ගන්න.

මෙහිදී ප්‍රධාන වශයෙන් අවධානය යොමුකෙරෙන ක්ෂේත්‍ර:
* ඩිජිටල් තර්ජන සහ මාර්ගගත හිරිහැර
* පෞද්ගලික තොරතුරු සහ මාර්ගගත ගිණුම් ආරක්ෂා කිරීම
* ආරක්ෂිතව සමාජ මාධ්‍ය භාවිතය සහ රහස්‍යතා සැකසුම්
* සයිබර් අවකාශයේ අනාරක්ෂිත සිදුවීම් සහ හානිකර අන්තර්ගතයන් වාර්තා කිරීම
* SLCERT වෙතින් සහාය සහ මගපෙන්වීම

டிஜிட்டல் பாதுகாப்பு, தனியுரிமை மற்றும் இணைய சுதந்திரம் குறித்த இலவச இணையவழி கருத்தரங்கு (Webinar)
ஊடக சட்ட மன்றத்தினால் (Media Law Forum) நடத்தப்படும் இக்கருத்தரங்கில், இலங்கை கணினி அவசர தயார்நிலை குழுவின் (SLCERT) நிபுணர்களுடன் இணைந்து கொள்ளுங்கள். டிஜிட்டல் தளங்களில் உங்களை நீங்களே பாதுகாத்துக் கொள்வதற்கான நடைமுறை வழிகளைக் கற்றுக்கொண்டு, இணையத்தில் பாதுகாப்பாக இருங்கள்.
முக்கிய விடயங்கள்:
• டிஜிட்டல் அச்சுறுத்தல்கள் மற்றும் இணையவழி துன்புறுத்தல்கள்.
• தனிப்பட்ட தகவல்கள் மற்றும் இணைய கணக்குகளைப் பாதுகாத்தல்.
• சமூக ஊடகங்களின் பாதுகாப்பான பயன்பாடு மற்றும் தனியுரிமை அமைப்புகள் (Privacy Settings).
• சைபர் சம்பவங்கள் மற்றும் தீங்கு விளைவிக்கும் உள்ளடக்கங்கள் குறித்து புகார் செய்தல்.
• SLCERT நிறுவனத்திடமிருந்து ஆதரவு மற்றும் வழிகாட்டல்களைப் பெறுதல்.

*Instruction for Participants – Tamil Interpretation via Zoom*

The program will be conducted in Sinhala, and Tamil interpretation will be provided through Zoom.

Participants who wish to listen in Tamil can access the interpretation by following these steps:

Join the Zoom meeting using the provided link.

At the bottom of the Zoom window, click the “Interpretation” (globe icon).

Select “Tamil” from the list of available languages.

You will then hear the live Tamil interpretation of the program.

Please ensure that you join the meeting using the Zoom application (desktop or mobile) to access the interpretation feature.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89797882172?pwd=0VsNvHUW1aIsMHudzSt27tVaEt8Utz.1

Meeting ID: 897 9788 2172
Passcode: 427715

03/03/2026

Media Law Forum Conducts Capacity-Building Session on Responsible Election Reporting

The Media Law Forum conducted a Sinhala-language information session on 25 February 2026 at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation to strengthen the capacity of media professionals in responsible election reporting within an evolving digital media landscape.

The session provided a comprehensive review of the revised Election Media Guidelines in Sri Lanka (2025), with particular focus on digital and social media content, regulations governing online political advertising, information accuracy, and the implications of generative artificial intelligence in election campaigns.

Discussions also covered key election-related and online safety laws addressing hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation, reinforcing the legal and ethical responsibilities of journalists.

The programme was facilitated by Jagath Liyana Arachchi (Attorney-at-Law) and Prabodha Rathnayaka (Attorney-at-Law), who shared practical insights on media law and ethical digital reporting.

The initiative was co-funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with Democracy Reporting International (DRI) Democracy Reporting International and Factum

For More Details - https://www.medialawforum.org/media-law-forum-conducts-capacity-building-session-on-responsible-election-reporting/