The framework addresses responsible AI adoption, gender equity, and digital safety in journalism
COLOMBO – The South Asian Women in Media – Sri Lanka (SAWM -SL) presented its draft Guidelines for the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Media to Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyarathne on March 10 as part of its International Women’s Month 2026 initiatives.
The handover, held at the Deputy Minister’s office, was followed by a wide-ranging discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing Sri Lanka’s media sector in an era of rapid technological change. Deputy Minister Ariyarathne welcomed the guidelines as both timely and necessary, acknowledging the growing urgency of addressing AI’s ethical implications for journalism.
Discussions touched on several pressing priorities: responsible AI adoption across media institutions, the digital empowerment of women journalists, and the critical need to strengthen digital literacy in rural communities, particularly among women. The discussions also explored the value of gender audits within newsrooms, more innovative approaches to professional training beyond conventional workshops, and raising the standards of awards and recognition for media professionals.
The draft guidelines, developed by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa, are the product of an extensive consultative process led by SAWM – SL, grounded in a comprehensive research report, also by Dr Hattotuwa, examining the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, The report addresses both the promise and the perils of emerging AI technologies, with particular attention to the growing threat of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
Developed as an annex to the Code of Ethics of the Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka, the guidelines expand existing ethical standards to encompass electronic, web-based, online, and social media platforms. They are designed to help media organisations harness AI responsibly, upholding human rights, protecting individuals from harm, and ensuring that the digital transformation of journalism does not come at the cost of safety, equity, or integrity.
Following the meeting with the Deputy Minister, SAWM – SL engaged print, broadcast, and digital media institutions across Colombo, sharing the draft guidelines with heads, directors, and editors at Sri Lanka Rupavahini, Lake House, Anidda, MTV, Echelon Media, Express Newspapers Ceylon Ltd, Newswire, and Liberty Publishers. These meetings generated productive discussion on the use of AI in newsrooms and incorporating the guidelines into Sri Lanka’s national media ethics framework.
SAWM-SL said it will continue engaging media institutions in the weeks ahead to broaden these conversations.
“A principled, collaborative approach to AI ethics is not optional, it is essential,” said a SAWM-SL spokesperson, noting, “As the media landscape evolves at pace, we must ensure that the values of fairness, safety, and accountability evolve with it.”
Founded in Colombo in September 2009, SAWM-SL, is Sri Lanka’s first all-women media association. An independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization, SAWM-SL is committed to advancing the rights, voices, and leadership of women in Sri Lanka’s media by mobilizing women media professionals, promoting gender sensitive journalism, advocating for equal opportunity and creating a platform for dialogue and action. It is also affiliated with the regional SAWM network spanning all SAARC countries.
