Mahinda’s Good Cop, Bad Cop And Code Of Ethics For Media – Aesop’s Fables ?
By Lal Wickrematunge -July 24, 2013
Lal Wickrematunge
The government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa will continue to seek total control over all public opinion and opinion makers including absolute control over the entire spectrum of the local media, be it print, electronic or social. The oldest trick in the book of playing “good cop, bad cop” between him and his brother, the Secretary of Defence, yet hold currency. It is to be admitted the Secretary of Defence, has support from a section of the public for his role in the war and has added a few more through his Colombo beautification programme.
Instilling fear, by the constant projection of the tri forces into civilian areas of development, there remains a major portion of intelligent people who are apprehensive that this may lead to more later, than what is seen on the ground at present. The fear factor is real and not perceived. Many would venture as far to say that most government and opposition politicians too fear, the Secretary of Defence. His uncompromising views and attitude to all areas of politics and public life is the underlying cause. They know that the entire range of enforcement come under him and that he wouldn’t hesitate to use them if and when he decides it is deemed necessary. He(the Secretary) has said many a time that his actions are to ensure national and public security. Now, how does that affect the media?
Lal Wickrematunge
The government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa will continue to seek total control over all public opinion and opinion makers including absolute control over the entire spectrum of the local media, be it print, electronic or social. The oldest trick in the book of playing “good cop, bad cop” between him and his brother, the Secretary of Defence, yet hold currency. It is to be admitted the Secretary of Defence, has support from a section of the public for his role in the war and has added a few more through his Colombo beautification programme.
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Hun Sen: The Making Of A Cambodian Autocrat
Marwaan Macan-Markar
If names of political parties are expected to elicit sympathy, then Cambodia’s hounded opposition has a winner. It is called the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), a name that says much about the fate of multi-party democracy in this still impoverished country.
The two major opposition parties that merged early this year to form the CNRP – the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and the Human Rights Party (HRP) – will certainly have to perform a rescue act to save this kingdom from ending as a one-party state at the forthcoming general elections.
It is all that stands between Cambodia having a multi-party democracy and another right wing autocrat in the mould of Suharto, Ferdinand Marcos, Mahathir Mohamed or Lee Kwan Yew.
At the minimum, that means the CNRP needs to aim for two magic numbers at the July 28 poll for the 123 seats up for grabs in the National Assembly. Were it to secure 30 seats, the CNRP legislators would enjoy power to at least summon government officials for parliamentary inquiries.
And a more ambitious 42 seats would guarantee them significant legislative power to stall proposed laws that could be detrimental to the country’s political and economic life.
