ONLINE SAFETY ACT The newly enacted OSA contains provisions that aim to curtail dissent in online spaces. Among the wide variety of offences included in the Act, Section 14 of the OSA prohibits the online communication of false statements that would intentionally provoke a riot. This offence carries a unique penalty for instances of statements resulting in a riot or not. The former carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand rupees or both. The latter carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand rupees or both. Furthermore, Section 19 prohibits the circulation of false reports with the intention to cause mutiny or an offence against the State. If convicted of this offence the penalty stands at a term of imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to a fine not exceeding seven hundred thousand rupees, or both. The language used in these provisions is vague and therefore open to abuse as has been the case with legislation such as the PTA. These provisions could be used to stifle dissent against Governments. 05. MEDIA FREEDOM “The ability of journalists to report freely on matters of public interest is a crucial indicator of democracy” is how Freedom House defines media freedom (Media Freedom, n.d.). Similarly, the U.S Helsinki Commission categorises it as a fundamental right for all forms of media—including print, radio, television, and online media, ‘to operate freely in society without Government control, restriction, or censorship’ (Freedom of the Media – CSCE, n.d.). The World Press Freedom Index of 2023, compiled by Reporters Without Borders, ranked Sri Lanka at 135 out of 180 countries, indicating a challenging environment for journalism. With a global score of 45.85/100, the country’s media landscape was assessed as “difficult”, on the spectrum spanning from “very serious” to “satisfactory” (Index | RSF, n.d.). In fact, press freedom in Sri Lanka has worsened over the years (Table 1), coinciding with the resurgence of Sinhala Buddhist nationalist extremism and electoral victories of populist political factions. RSF’s analysis indicates that Sri Lanka’s media freedom issues are intricately linked to its history of civil unrest and lack of diversity within media, as well as the political influence that is prevalent within the sector. Presently, Sri Lanka hosts a diverse media landscape comprising over 75 daily and weekly print publications, 20 - 11 - Year Ranking 2023 135/180 2022 146/180 2021 127/180 2020 127/180 2019 126/180 2018 131/180 2017 141/180 2016 141/180 2015 165/180 2014 165/180 2013 162/179 "The World Press Freedom Index for Sri Lanka (2013-2023) by Reporters Without Borders"