Empowering Sri Lankas Journalists and Artists on Freedom of Expression and Right to Information

In a country where Freedom of Expression (FoE) and the Right to Information (RTI) are vital for fostering democracy and accountability, Sri Lanka's journalists and artists have taken bold strides in their quest to understand, embrace, and advocate for these crucial principles. Thanks to the efforts of Sri Lanka Development Journalists Forum  (SDJF), a project launched in July 2023, these professionals have made significant headway in their knowledge and application of FoE and RTI.

A Remarkable 97% Gain in Knowledge: One of the project's standout achievements is the impressive increase in knowledge among the network of journalists and artists. In just a few months, a staggering 97% of these individuals have demonstrated an excellent and/or good understanding of FoE and RTI. This remarkable feat was largely due to a substantial 54% increase in comprehension of the RTI act and the process for submitting RTI applications. Perhaps even more astonishing, 72% of the network members now express high confidence in submitting RTI applications.

A Transformation from the Pre-Project Era: Prior to the SDJF intervention, a concerning 58% of network members admitted having little to no knowledge of the RTI act or the RTI process. Moreover, only 42% considered themselves to possess excellent and/or good knowledge of both FoE and RTI.

An Upturn in RTI Application Submissions: The project's impact on RTI application submissions has been nothing short of revolutionary. Before SDJF's involvement, just 31% of network members had the knowledge necessary to access and submit RTI application forms. Now, this number has significantly increased, indicating a surge in RTI application submissions.

Increased Awareness and Practice: August 2023 witnessed network members actively engaging in submitting RTI applications. During focus group discussions, they shared their ongoing efforts to contribute to the growing number of applications, requests, and cases. A stark contrast to the past when 40% of the network members had not submitted any RTI applications, largely due to their limited knowledge of the RTI act and the application process.

Overcoming Challenges as a Unified Force: Beyond individual progress, the project has cultivated a sense of collaboration and unity among journalists and artists. The network members have come together to brainstorm solutions to the challenges associated with FoE and RTI in Sri Lanka. Previously, these professionals had no platform for sharing experiences and concerns arising in different locations. With SDJF's facilitation, members have become more aware of issues faced by journalists and artists across various communities and have found common ground to address these concerns.

Elevating Media Expressions: By September 2023, 73% of network members had produced 58 media expressions employing multimedia storytelling, photojournalism, and cartoon art. These expressions revolved around the thematic areas of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information. The works were shared widely on social media and in publications, leading to a notable increase in posts and articles focusing on FoE and access to information in digital and print media.

Enhanced Skills: A 65% increase in multimedia storytelling skills, a 51% boost in photojournalistic skills, and a 55% rise in fact-checking and verification skills have collectively contributed to the skill enhancement of network members. These improvements empower them to engage more effectively in multimedia storytelling, photojournalism, and maintain high ethical standards.

The journey has been nothing short of transformational for these journalists and artists, who have now equipped themselves with the essential knowledge, skills, and practices related to FoE and RTI. Beyond their professional growth, they have made substantial contributions to enriching media content in Sri Lanka. This story is a testament to the power of education and empowerment in ensuring the growth of democracy and accountability.