INTEGRATING BUDDHIST ETHICAL TEACHINGS ON EXPRESSION INTO MODERN MEDIA LAWS AND ETHICS

Abstract

Media laws and ethics provide guidance on protecting the rights of both media professionals and the public, while also regulating media activities. In addition, they establish limits and standards for obtaining information from sources, systematically preparing information, and distributing it through communication channels. However, despite the existence of legal and ethical frameworks related to the media in Sri Lanka, violations of media laws and ethics continue to be reported. It is, therefore, a timely need to apply the ethical teachings of Buddhism in the expression of ideas to minimize such violations. The problem of this study was to examine how the ethical teachings of Buddhism on expression of ideas can be used to strengthen and enrich modern media laws and ethics. The aim of this study was to investigate how Buddhist ethical principles can be integrated into modern media laws and ethics to promote responsible communication. During this study, Buddhist suttas such as Saccavibhanga, Kakacūpama, Aranavibhanga, Ambalatthika Rāhulōvāda, Sīhanāda, Kītāgiri, Cullahatthipadōpama, Sõnadanda, Vassakāra, Vērāňjaka, and Kandaraka, etc. were analyzed and the information such obtained was subject to comparative self-analysis. The content of these suttas was analyzed through qualitative content analysis method. Buddhism upholds the freedom of the communicator, the freedom of the message, and the freedom of the receiver in the expression of ideas. The content of a message is prepared on an ethical basis to ensure that the receiver is not adversely affected. Accordingly, in preparing messages as per the Buddhist teachings, the communicator focuses on both the truthfulness and effectiveness of the message. The Buddhist approach to the expression of ideas emphasizes that any idea promoting merit and reducing demerit is worthy of expression. Just as one does not wish to be subjected to physical, mental, or verbal harm, the ethical foundation of Buddhist communication insists that no one should inflict such harm upon others through words, actions, or messages.