The Media’s responsibility in securing it’s own freedom
Despite my horror for cynicism, I find myself defeated into just that. While I would like to confine my ranting to discourses with my imaginary friend, reading Ruki’s post From the Tiger’s Den to an Open Prison and the comments made to it just tipped the scale on sanity. So I decided to put it out there in the hope that it will comfort the ailing and ail the comfortable.
Given the masterpieces one is fed via some media, one wonders if our media is mature enough to be free.
Take for example the following articles which appeared in the Sunday Observer over the past month.
- Two articles Distorted images – Australian media coverage on conflict in Sri Lanka and Biased reporting – BBC has done it again! by Indeewara Thilakarathne and Ranga Chandrarathne (published on 30th March and 13th April 2008 respectively)
- United country say Jaffna residents by Anushka Nanayakkara and Chandrika Perera (published 20th April 2008)
I humorously term the style as being in Twiddledee & Twiddledum(b) vein though I must say that whereas the original Twiddledee and Twiddledum probably attempted to present two sides to a story through their rivalry, these articles are more in the character of one-sided tirades in which both authors seem to share the same opinion.
Now in a vain attempt to dilute cynicism, I have to subject you to my humour.
If you feel you can take it please read on. If not, best to log off and do something else.
1. If truth and objectivity are essentials for a news story, how would you rate above stories on a scale of 1-3 (1-High, 2-Medium, 3-Low) in the following criterion?
a. Bias
b. Balance between objectivity and skepticism
c. Reporting of events and situations as they are (as opposed to how they should be)
2. What would you say are the motives of the authors named in (a) above as perceived by yourself when you read the article? To inform the public on
a. Media responsibility
b. The inferiority of the above media channels
c. Presence of international conspiracies against the security and sovereignty of Sri Lanka
d. The superiority of Sri Lanka’s policy on the war on terror as opposed to similar global initiatives (i.e. America in Iraq and Afghanistan)
3. What would you say are the motives of the authors named in (b) above as perceived by yourself when you read the article? To inform the public on
a. The untruthful nature of reports by residents of/visitors to the peninsula on the level of terror, hunger, humiliation, loss and suffering prevalent in an area under government control
b. The contrast between the noble intentions of the government of Sri Lanka and the cruel nature of the LTTE (just in case the public may not have truly perceived it despite the many reports and statements issued by the Media Centre for National Security)
c. The untruthful situation on restrictions on media to access these areas and report findings
d. Their gratitude towards the government of Sri Lanka and the military officials for the story to which they could proudly attach their names
4. Would you say that the above articles tend towards government propaganda (which incidentally is an element of media restriction)?
a. Yes
b. Not at all. That’s what the international community would like to think.
c. Possibly but that’s not the point. We are at war and if we are true Sri Lankans we have to back the government regardless of truth and common sense
5. If you answered (c) above, would you say that media freedom would interfere with the government’s initiative to continue its war on terror in Sri Lanka and as such should not be allowed?
a. Absolutely
b. Not at all. That’s what the international community would like to think.
c. Possibly but that’s not the point. The media should be free to report what it is told to report
6. Keeping in mind the old adage that with freedom comes responsibility; would you say that the majority of local media have a long way to go before they can be entrusted with such responsibility?
a. Yes
b. Not at all. That’s what the international community would like to think.
c. Possibly but that’s not the point. We are at war and as loyal and patriotic citizens of our motherland we must stand by our government regardless of truth and common sense (which probably includes swallowing everything we are fed via media reports without questioning it)
7. As a citizen of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, how do you feel about your part in protecting the future of your motherland?
a. Very good. I am a loyal and proud citizen of Mother Lanka and I will not tolerate anyone criticizing those in power and their actions.
b. Fairly ok. I read all the papers and watch all the news programmes so I am fully aware of what is going on and able to have vigorous debates with my friends over a drink or two
b. Fairly ok. I read all the papers and watch all the news programmes so I am fully aware of what is going on and able to have vigorous debates with my friends over a drink or two
c. Like Alice in Wonderland. At the mercy of the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, Twiddledee and Twiddledum(b) and the other cronies
Thank you for obliging.