Media Education in Schools Must Be Expanded: Vijayananda Jayaweera

22-Jan-2026

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Expanding media education at the school level can create broad societal understanding about the role of journalists, including the need to protect their work, said Vijayananda Jayaweera.

He made these remarks while addressing the “Black January – Still in Darkness” event organised by the Free Media Movement and the Free Media Trade Union at the Sri Lanka College of Journalism on 19 January 2026.

Jayaweera stated that journalists have been assassinated because they worked on behalf of the public, and society must reflect on how deeply this reality has been understood.

Meaningful public discussion emerges only when society has a deep understanding of what the media and journalists do. He noted that discussions on education reform are currently underway, with significant focus on media studies, including digital media and related skills.

However, he questioned how extensively these issues are addressed at the school level. Therefore, media education must be expanded and broadened in schools. He said this is the right time to initiate such discussions, as they would help society understand the role of media and the importance of protecting journalists.