June 22, 2012
Most of the Sri Lankan newspapers and websites have added the readers’ comments facility and it has become more attractive as they feel they have a role to play instead of reading. It is an obvious fact, that people like to have their own voice rather than listening to someone’s interpretation, which is according to the basics of 2-way communication.
By Charitha Dissanayake -
Charitha Dissanayake
Most of the Sri Lankan newspapers and websites have added the readers’ comments facility and it has become more attractive as they feel they have a role to play instead of reading. It is an obvious fact, that people like to have their own voice rather than listening to someone’s interpretation, which is according to the basics of 2-way communication.
But some argue that the newspaper is not a blog, although it is online and vice-versa. In the Sri Lankan context, the representation of the general public was very limited until mid ‘90s and the only choice was ‘letters to the editor column’, which was also edited according to the editor’s limitations and the space in the newspaper. In the radio this opportunity was limited to listeners’ requests. But with the broadening of the limits of electronic media listeners/viewers opinion became a powerful tool. Some listeners became professionals making comments on any topic and they acted according to the political line of the stations. For example, you will find a listener/viewer engaged in a programme run by a particular channel, made against government, commenting in favor of that topic blaming the government at the same time talking, criticizing the opposition in another programme.
