Weerawansa, who is the Minister of Housing, Engineering Services and Construction, has told the government that time is ripe to introduce a code of ethics journalists to elevate what he termed as he "standards of journalism". 

 

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Vernacular newspapers reported this weekend that the government has responded favourably to Weerawansa's request. 

 

However, introducing a code of ethics for journalists was not included in the 12 proposals he presented to the government following the adoption of the Strategic Development Act.

 

Last year, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella also stated that the Ministry would take measures to introduce a code of conduct for journalists operating in the print media. The proposal, however, met with strong resistance from the journalistic fraternity. Media organizations strongly opposed the move saying it was an arbitrary act that is aimed at curtailing media freedom and freedom of expression.

 

The Media Ministry finally admitted that a code of ethics should be formulated and introduced with inputs from the country's journalistic fraternity.

 

Meanwhile, the government has also given green light to the 12 proposals presented by the National Freedom Front to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The seniors of the ruling party has termed that as a "principled agreement".

 

No time-frame has so far been given to implement the proposals presented by Weerawansa.