The media ‘Konvicted’
Repost This ArticleThe Akon rumpus, with all its nutty and freaky sides, did have one thing good about it. It raised the question, “what is media freedom ?” Except for “”Sirasa”” and its group channels, none of the mainstream media, ever bothered to investigate into this Akon show unplugging and expose the lumpen politics, that had a media institute mobbed and stoned once again, under this regime.
The mainstream print media over the past two or three days, reported on producing 16 men in Colombo magistrate courts by police and bailing them out, in relation to this mob attack. They carried excerpts of statements from all who condemned the Akon show and briefly noted the MBC/MTV Colombo office attack was condemned by some. This print media wants the reader to accept, their responsibility is over with that.
The electronic visual media was even worse. Their coverage in all channels excluding the State run, that in any way won’t be independent and “Sirasa” doing its own publicity, did not provide that was worthy of news and was there only to report on court decisions. There was one private channel that played proxy to the State as well.
The question is, what more freedom or independence does the media need, if the role it plays in society, is just this negative and limited ?
The choice of Akon as the super star attraction in the show “Super fest 2010” that was organised for 24 April at the SSC Stadium, Colombo, is another that needs to be publicly discussed. What branding can Sri Lanka have for tourism promotion with such a controversial artiste in his own country, is open for serious questions in the media.
But, that does not and should not deny an exposure of the mob attack on MBC/MTV right now. The issue, who was behind the mob attack which targeted the Braybrooke place office and why, needs to be laid bare in all media, for the benefit of the society. This society has a right to know all details and without bias. That needs an independent media no doubt. If the media outside State control claims it is independent and not being partial with State politics, that then is their responsibility.
Such media would have to first clear the case for the public, as to who exactly is responsible for this show. No media so far has factually revealed the organiser(s) of this Akon show and who the sponsors are. No media has to date made it clear to the public, the role of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) in this event, as they officially sat at the media brief, announcing the event. The SLTPB is one of the 4 State organisations established under the Tourism Act 38 of 2005. Its MD at the Cinnamon Grand media brief explained as to what the SLTPB expects from this Akon show and said they have the SriLankan Airlines to facilitate Indian and Maldive tourists who would want to visit the show.
Where then does the company “Platinum Entertainment” which claims they booked in Akon for the show, fit in ? The media again has a responsibility to explain to the public, their shared roles with SLTPB, in this now denied entertainment.
The media also had a responsibility to investigate as to why the MBC/MTV office was attacked instead of the Tourism Ministry or the SriLankan Airlines, a co-sponsor of the event.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate had ordered the MTV to hand over all footage of the attack to the Slave Island police for further investigations. Most of those footage were aired by “Sirasa” on Wednesday (25 March) in their news bulletins. “Sirasa” in fact claimed they identified some goons in the visuals.
There were therefore enough photos and enough information available at hand, if any news paper, any news channel ever wanted to take this issue of media bashing in public and respect the right of the reader, the viewer, to have unbiased and uncensored information. If the media respected the right for freedom of expression.
But the media did not and why not ? This is for media organisations to investigate. Media organisations that ask for media freedom, ask for freedom of expression and right for information, should start asking their colleagues, why they don’t act professional in exercising their responsibilities.
There are obvious reasons for such timid behaviour of this Sri Lankan media. Some are justifiable and within limits. Yet the fact remains, it is not only political coercion that makes the media timid. It is also the media culture that prefers to avoid responsibility which restricts such exposure. A media culture that prefers to sensationalise social issues that avoids responsible reporting.
In a society like this Sri Lankan society that festers and degenerates at all levels, that corrupts all systems, it would be futile to expect any profession with any integrity. In a society where the Oath of Hypocrites is unknown to the medical profession, it would be unfair to demand an impeccably clean and responsible media. A media that would take up the challenge of playing professional and honest at any cost.
That being difficult, it does not mean the decline should be allowed. It is therefore necessary now to seek a “press button” that would pause this decline and provide time for a turn around. If the Akon show that was mobbed to a stop could play simulator for such, then thank him, the “Konvict”, the “Troublemaker”.
Sri Lanka’s majority standing up for and protecting the respect of the Lord Buddha is perfectly alright. If anyone made a music video with Virgin Mary clad in a bikini and dancing while Lord Jesus Christ was rapping a song, the ramifications, outcry and condemnation from the Vatican, Rome and all othr Christian nations would be far, far worse and more destructive beyond anyone can imagine. When DaVinci Code movie was released, it was BANNED in Sri Lanka, as results of Catholic Bishops’ conference protesting about it with government authorities!!! Now, a Danish cartoonist was condemned and tagged with a price on his head for graphically depicting Holy Prophet Mohamed’s cartoon – This artist is in exile in an unknown location indefinitely fearing for his life (there was an intrusion recently to his house). There are Muslim fundamentalists, and there are Fundamentalist Christians (Evangelical Church, Jehova’s Witmesses, etc) and the world is alright with that. But, when Buddhists get stronger to protect thier Lord Buddha’s respect, teachings, honor and dignity, that becomes the problem of Dick, Frank, and Puss. The whole world is intimidating this small mightly nation called Taprobane, Serendib, Ceylon or Sri Lanka – Go pound on your sack some place else. This country just acieved peace after 30 years of fighting terrorists funded and supported by fundamentalist christians, so Akon or any other noise-makers are not welcome in this country. Afterall, all against the dumping of this (c)rapping sump oil can, think about if you saw a video with the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ as pointed out above just for 2 seconds, as well…. if you got offended, you failed the test. Remember, respect is a two-way street. Think Bishop Malcolm Ranjit immediately made a statement denouncing and condemning an election poster with Jusus Christ’s fabricated photo. Ironical, is it not?
Nuke you are dead right. These fellows who shout foul saying Buddhism preaches tolerance are the very people who will hold demonstrations world wide including bombing and other destuctive actions when they have to face the music. The Davinchi code didnt show any nude women wriggling around Jesus but was a fantacy story and still the whole world panicked why cant they tolerate when the Buddhist panick to safegaurd their religious dignity…. We cant allow people to sell our country, our culture and our religions for a few bucks to sex crazy people.
Niyami Nuke77…couldn’t have said it better. You should post your comment here as well : http://www.groundviews.org/2010/03/25/aroused-by-akon%E2%80%99s-sexy-bitch-the-rise-of-sinhala-buddhist-fundamentalism/
Kusal…you are right.
None of the media organizations have actually made an independent analysis of this whole fiasco without politically backed bias views. Everyone’s out for their own gains.
To add to what nuke77 says,I read all the derogatory comments posted by people around the world denouncing Sri Lanka on Yahoo news.What they show is the disease called,”seeing what I want to see”,and these so called liberal people are equally blinded by the self righteous Western philosophy as their local counterparts.
Just because Buddhism is a non-violent religion it doesn’t mean that we should allow everybody to trample us!
On the other hand does the Western liberals show the same kind of tolerance to words like “nigger”.Or are the Jews tolerant about the display of Nazi symbols even for a second?How many famous people had to apologize because they perfomed the Nazi salute in a casual manner.
Akon can do his nursery rhyming in the US.Why is he coming here?Can Ahamadenijad go to Israel and deny Holocaust?
As long as we have intolerant people like Nuke77 with maedival ideologies of burning people at the stake, chopping their heads off with a guillotine,or pounding babies in vangedis, all for the sake of an eye for an eye, the world will be sadly be a poorer place. Religion has always been a divisive force and people like him are not going to make things any better.
Nuke77, who ever you are, you have to first read and understand what the writer argues or tells, before commenting. This writer is NOT discussing religious sentiments or tolerance in this article. This article is about the ROLE OF THE MEDIA in our country. About the responsibility of media in reporting violence against the media. If you don’t have any comments on that, its better you keep out of these discussions.
The Da VInci Code – banned in Sri Lanka because it offended Sri Lankan Catholics.
The Last Temptation – banned in Sri Lanka because it offended Sri Lankan Catholics.
Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses – banned in Sri LAnka because it offended Sri Lankan Muslims.
Tamil Nadu preacher deported from Sri Lanka because he offended Sri Lankan Muslims
AKON refused a visa because he offended Sri Lankan Buddhists.
What’s the big deal then?
Nuke whoever you are, you are petty and ignorant man, shanika too has the same mentality, first understand the point before you jump the gun. Why you silly try to bring other religions in this topic. The write is simply analysing the scenario and the danger which lies ahead in the long run. Why do you guys make such a big deal of this? i just cant understand.
One thing have you seen this video? I watched this video thrice today but could not identify Lord Budda’s statue anywhere, they say it is there somewhere for two seconds, Nuke just watch and see whether you can identify. No prizes pls.
We suffered for 30 years with Tamil Tigers and I think people like you are trying drag the country to another era, Patriotism Sinhala/Buddists only??? Sad mate.
This is a great summary over at- http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/mar2010/sril-m27.shtml
” In reality, the rap singer has simply been caught up in the government’s continuing harassment and violence against any media that is at all critical of its policies and anti-democratic methods.”
It is very sad that the free media is threatened like this, people have a right to information and to form the own opinions with all the information laid out in front of them. It is very sad I must say.