Srilanka, July 20 -- The Free Media Movement brought media reform to the forefront of the national agenda for the first time under the People's Alliance Government, which assumed power in 1994. In response, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumratunga appointed the R.K.W. Gunasekara Committee to explore media reform, while the Sidath Sri Nandalochana Committee was established to examine ways to broaden ownership of Lake House, both direct outcomes of the Movement's growing influence.

Although these committees proposed significant reforms ranging from changes to media laws to transforming State-controlled media into public service broadcasters-their recommendations were largely disregarded after the Media Ministry was transferred from Mini...