The Credibility Of The Media
R.A. Ratwatte
The total lack of credibility of all sources of media in this Country is a major concern. We have seen the most incredible stories circulating, wild accusation flying around and the whole thing resembling a particularly ridiculous, cheap Bollywood drama.
Who do we believe? Or do we believe no body! Even the so called independent news papers that carried out an elaborate masquerade, during the dark days of the Rajapaksa regime have now been exposed.
The Daily Mirror was reporting rubbish and although they carried a facility to include comments, nothing detrimental to them was ever published.
The daily Island again carried out a very well disguised campaign but those of us who wrote vitriolic articles soon realised that they were never published. Basically what can we expect when the owner’s husband was holding a top Government job? In recent times, after the change, The daily Island also seems to have removed the velvet glove and started attacking the new regime. The danger here is that a section of the gullible public actually think the editor’s motives were pure. Editor himself has insidiously built up a “good man” image. Notice how no comments to articles are ever published here as well?
*Editors receives interest free car loan from Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa
The Lake house papers are not worth even talking about! However just to play the devil’s advocate a few glimpses may be obtained on occasion, of a few quality journalist still surviving in that hotbed of political appointees.
The privately owned tabloids and TV stations have simply carried out their Masters’ wishes. Private agendas and intrigue and plots to try and shape the future of our Country based on the convoluted thinking of media owners has been par for the course.
We have even turned to radio stations owned by drug kingpins, in desperation!
What have we been reduced to? Our intelligence has been degraded, we are all taken for idiots who believe the figments of imagination that is published and broadcasted as news. What is important to remember here is that it is not only Rajapaksa and his sidekicks who took us for idiots! The So called “captains of Industry” were not slow to jump on the bandwagon and try to achieve their private agendas.
What options are left? The most radical would be to withdraw all licences for these fly by night operators’, draw up a code of conduct with clear legislation for recourse to those affected by libel and defamation and re-issue permits to interested parties.
Meanwhile we should encourage international newspapers to work out of Sri Lanka and thereby give the public properly researched stories with real credibility attached to them.
The current situation is a “madhouse” and if this Government is to survive and be able to complete their plans, a credible source of news is imperative.
