Colombo District MP of the National People’s Power – Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called to ensure a salary for journalists that will enable them to meet basic human needs.

Speaking in Parliament today (08) during the Budget debate of the Mass Media Ministry, MP Dissanayake pointed out that many journalists in the country are in an extremely difficult financial situation and allowances given by media institutions are not sufficient.

He also warned of a darkness in the flow of information, if media institutions, which carry out information to the society, are forced to shut down.

The MP emphasised that the issues faced by journalists should be looked into.

Speaking further, MP Dissanayake said that although several governments had initiated programs to grant housing, concessional loans, insurance etc. for journalists, all these have now come to a standstill.