Media freedom, institutional access, and danger of unchecked citizen media

A lively and sometimes heated debate that had been simmering for some time in Sri Lanka's media community is now unfolding in public: Should a journalist carry an official ID card to carry out their work? My short and clear answer is no. Journalism, by definition, is not a licensed profession.

- By Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi

It is a democratic right and civic duty rooted in observation, investigation, and the pursuit of truth. But we cannot deny that this principle becomes more complex when applied in real-world situations—especially when it comes to government premises, high-security zones, or press conferences.

In my understanding, what the Sri Lankan media sector needs is not a license but a structure. Although our media professionals have been striving to build such a framework since the early 1990s, this ongoing debate reveals that we have yet to fully establish it.

Globally, Sri Lanka is still feeling the aftershocks of the digital revolution that has shaken the foundations of the media industry. Smartphones and social platforms have empowered ordinary citizens to tell stories that were once the domain of trained journalists. This democratisation of the media has undeniable value. While we still carry the burdens of a difficult past, citizen media has helped expose injustice, amplify unheard voices, and create new watchdogs beyond institutional control.

But journalism—real journalism—is not merely the act of recording and publishing. The elements that distinguish professional journalists from casual observers or politically motivated actors are training, ethics, and accountability. Institutions must be able to verify who is accessing sensitive places such as the Presidential Secretariat, Parliament, military bases, state ministries, or diplomatic missions. Who is coming? Who do they represent? Why are they there?

In this context, an ID card or press accreditation is not a political restriction—it is a professional safeguard. It ensures that both journalists and institutions operate within a defined, transparent framework, and allows journalism to play a more constructive role in resolving today's social crises.

The peril of unfiltered citizen journalism: Lessons from Sri Lanka and beyond