The Sri Lankan government has invited views from various stakeholders on a proposed legislation to regulate media freedom and journalists' rights, a statement issued by the Information Department today said. <br/><br/>It said that the government is committed to creating an enabling environment for the media sector and to ensuring media accountability to those who are relied upon as a credible source of news and information. <br/><br/>The proposed legislation will be applicable to all print and broadcast media outlets, as well as to online media outlets which formally agree to comply with the codes of practice.<br/><br/>Under the legislation, it is proposed to establish an independent Council with punitive powers to develop and apply codes of practice for media outlets, based on internationally recognised standards.<br/><br/>The legislation has been proposed in wake of several media outlets coming under fire from the government for a biased approach towards reporting.<br/>A channel was banned last month while another is facing an enquiry for failing to make balanced coverage. Media freedom was vehemently curtailed under previous regime of Mahinda Rajapakse and several journalist were killed during the ethnic war.