SP questions move to summon journalists to Parliamentary privilege committee

October 3, 2023 at 1:52 PM

Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa today questioned the summoning of Neth FM journalists before the Parliament Privileges Committee over allegations raised by Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Bandula Gunawardena. 

A complaint has been filed by the Minister, accusing that his Parliamentary privileges have been violated due to an alleged false news report that had been published by Neth Fm and several other local media. 

Accordingly, Neth FM journalists have been summoned before the Parliament Privileges Committee today for an inquiry into the matter. 

Condemning the move, MP Premadasa told Parliament that it was a breach of media freedom.

He further called on the Prime Minister to intervene and prevent such action being taken against journalists. 

Commenting on Minister Bandula Gunawardena’s complaint, Neth FM has responded stating that the views shared during the broadcast was that of a trade union leader and are not that of the media institution or its journalists. (NewsWire)