The Media Law Forum is proud to partner with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka and a consortium of leading media institutions for Media Forward 2025, a landmark three-day capacity-building and dialogue initiative held from 24–26 November in Colombo. Designed to bring coherence to Sri Lanka’s evolving media landscape, the programme brought together one of the most diverse groups of media actors convened in recent years, including journalists, broadcasters, digital creators, fact-checkers, researchers, and policy experts.
Media Forward 2025 focuses on strengthening Sri Lanka’s information ecosystem through sector-led collaboration, shared learning, and responsible innovation. Across its discussions, panels, and technical sessions, the programme addressed critical issues shaping the media industry—such as the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), information integrity, misinformation, online hate, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
A key contribution from the Media Law Forum was the expert session delivered by Dr. Viranjana Herath, Chairperson of MLF, on “Legal Frameworks and Ethical Boundaries in the Age of AI.” Dr. Herath’s session drew notable attention from journalists and media professionals. He offered a timely and authoritative analysis of how AI is transforming newsrooms, influencing content creation, and reshaping public discourse. His presentation highlighted emerging legal challenges posed by generative AI, the need for ethical safeguards, and the importance of updated regulatory frameworks to protect both journalists and the public.
Media Forward 2025 was convened in collaboration with a coalition of national media institutions, including the Sri Lanka Broadcasters’ Guild, Hashtag Generation, Factum, Verité Media and Politics, the Media Law Forum, the Free Media Movement, and the Digital Journalists’ Association of Sri Lanka. The programme also featured valuable contributions from Meta and TikTok representatives, who briefed participants on platform policies, safety tools, and mechanisms designed to strengthen responsible digital engagement.
As the media sector continues to evolve in the digital age, the Media Law Forum remains committed to empowering journalists with the legal knowledge, ethical clarity, and practical tools needed to navigate emerging technologies responsibly. Our engagement in Media Forward 2025 reflects our ongoing dedication to strengthening media freedom, digital rights, and information integrity in Sri Lanka.
