The announcement that five out of six agreements Sri Lanka is set to sign with China involve Chinese media institutions has sparked widespread concern about the country’s media landscape. The move has been criticized as yet another step towards curtailing press freedom, which is already in decline. At a time when Sri Lanka’s journalists are calling for reforms to make state media more independent and accountable, these agreements appear to align Sri Lanka’s media system closer to China’s notorious propaganda model.
China’s media environment, controlled entirely by the state, is infamous for its lack of transparency and suppression of dissent. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has built an information ecosystem where the press serves as a mouthpiece for the government, with no room for independent reporting. Surveillance, censorship, and the systematic filtering of information are standard practices. China’s abysmal ranking of 179th out of 180 countries in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index reflects these realities.
Sri Lanka’s decision to enter into media agreements with China raises the concern that it is seeking to emulate this authoritarian model of media control. Critics argue that this partnership could further undermine the already fragile state of media freedom in Sri Lanka. The 2024 World Press Freedom Index ranks Sri Lanka at 150th, a 15-place drop from the previous year. This steep decline reflects the challenges journalists face, including threats, harassment, and restrictions on accessing critical information.
Government’s Role in Stifling Media Freedom
The current government’s handling of the media has drawn criticism from journalists, civil society groups, and international watchdogs. Ministers and key government officials often refuse to engage with the press or provide access to critical information. This lack of transparency directly hampers the public’s right to know and denies citizens access to unfiltered and unbiased information. Instead of fostering an environment where journalism thrives as a pillar of democracy, the government has relied on a propaganda-driven approach, where information is selectively filtered before being disseminated.
For instance, press conferences and official communications are carefully orchestrated to avoid hard questions. Journalists who attempt to ask probing or critical questions are often sidelined or barred from government events. This creates a chilling effect, discouraging investigative journalism and fostering self-censorship among media professionals.
A Shift to State-Controlled Propaganda
The partnership with Chinese media institutions appears to formalize an approach that Sri Lanka’s government has already been experimenting with: turning the media into a propaganda machine. State media outlets, which should ideally serve the public by providing unbiased and comprehensive coverage, are frequently used to promote government narratives while ignoring dissenting voices. Opposition views, criticism of policy failures, and coverage of pressing national issues are either minimized or omitted entirely.
This is particularly concerning given the government’s inability to deliver on key electoral promises. The JVP/NPP government, which came to power on a platform of reform and transparency, has increasingly faced public frustration over its failure to address economic instability, corruption, and governance issues. By stifling the media, the government appears to be attempting to shield itself from scrutiny and public accountability.
The Cost of Media Suppression
By aligning itself with China’s state-controlled media model, Sri Lanka risks further alienating its journalists and citizens. A free and independent press is critical to democracy, serving as a watchdog that holds those in power accountable. Without access to credible information, citizens are unable to make informed decisions, and public trust in institutions erodes.
The agreements with Chinese media institutions send a clear message: the Sri Lankan government is more interested in controlling the flow of information than ensuring transparency and accountability. This is a dangerous precedent that undermines the fundamental principles of democracy and threatens to push Sri Lanka further into authoritarianism.
A Call for Transparency and Reform
Sri Lanka’s leaders must reconsider the implications of these agreements and take steps to strengthen press freedom. Instead of emulating China’s restrictive media practices, the government should focus on creating an environment where journalists can report without fear of reprisal. This includes ensuring that state media operates independently, providing journalists with access to government officials, and addressing the broader challenges facing the press.
In a democracy, the role of the media is to inform, educate, and empower citizens. By silencing journalists and controlling the narrative, Sri Lanka’s government is not just failing the press but also the people it serves. For the country to move forward, it must commit to press freedom, transparency, and open dialogue—values that are essential for a functioning democracy.
Author – Thinul Yashmika Almeda
