Sarath Fonseka, 59, the main opposition challenger to President Mahinda Rajapakse, said he would scrap the press council which is empowered to shut down news organisations and would introduce a freedom of information act.
Fonseka has already announced he would, if elected, introduce laws to amend the all-powerful executive presidency and revert the country to a parliamentary democracy within six months.
"I will abolish the executive presidency, the press council and replace it with a freedom of information bill," Fonseka said in a speech.
Fonseka was himself accused orchestrating attacks against journalists when he was the army chief leading the military's successful offensive to defeat the Tamil Tiger rebels.
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More than a dozen journalists and media workers have been killed in the past four years and several journalists have been arrested for cricitising the government.
Fonseka's campaign received a boost on Wednesday when the country's main minority Tamil coalition pledged suppo