New rules for SMS news alerts
The director-general of the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS), Lakshman Hulugalle today instructed news agencies that issue news alerts over mobile phone to obtain approval before they send out news relating to national security, the security forces or the police.
In a letter to all media outlets, Mr. Hulugalle said the directive would be ‘effective immediately’.
“I have been instructed to inform you that any news relating to national security, the security forces or the police should get prior approval from the MCNS before dissemination,” he said.
When asked whether the rule was a form of media censorship, Mr. Hulugalle said it wasn’t and that there were no restrictions.
“There is no censorship nor any restriction at all. We just want to know the contents that relate to security matters before they are sent,” he told Daily Mirror.
Last November, the government instructed news websites to register with the Media Ministry.
Courtesy: DM Online
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