Challenging a Culture of Secrecy
While the Sri Lankan State maintains a culture of secrecy cemented through legislation like the Official Secrets Act, the Right to Information Act, operationalised in early 2017, is now used by citizens,…
Media and Communications
Gramasevakata Pissu: Political censorship and popular culture
– J.M. Coetzee , seated at the foot of my father’s easy-chair, not understanding (as a nine, ten, eleven-year-old) the incisive commentary the show was making. Soon enough as a teen, I…
Reporting on identity in the Sri Lankan media: Ethics and errors
It is not uncommon to read headlines of this nature in Sri Lankan print media, with perpetrators of a crime or their suspects being identified by race. In Sinhala, Tamil and English…
Standing for unpopular causes: Ten years on
The first thing to catch my eye in Sandya Eknaligoda’s home was a comic book. It was an illustrated copy of Sherlock Holmes. Peeking out underneath was a leaflet bearing a familiar…
2018: A Recap
2018 saw ethno-nationalism, the role of technology in moderating hate speech and freedom of expression and the impact of foreign debt, including China’s Belt and Road Initiative remain key topics in global discourse. It also…
Value Education and Literature
Editor’s Note: Delivered at the Open University on November 30th 2018 Throughout the world today we bemoan the lack of values. No one quite knows what that means and a good post-modernist…
Mark Zuckerberg Has Lost Control of Facebook
BRUSSELS – When Mark Zuckerberg, the chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Facebook, appeared before the European Parliament in May, I suggested to him that he had lost control of his company. As one of…
A Coup in Asia’s Oldest Democracy: A Statement by Sri Lankan Students
28th October 2018 We are a group of Sri Lankan students currently pursuing our education overseas. We write today to express our deep concern about Sri Lanka’s ongoing constitutional and political crisis….
#FreeShahidulAlam: On protests and press freedom
Shahidul Alam is no stranger to Sri Lanka. In January 2005, the renowned photojournalist and activist documented damage wrought by the tsunami. His blog titled ‘Boxing Day blues’ shows a letter sent…
Media As Memory: Remembering July 1983
The flat, cardboard boxes are stacked almost to the ceiling. The neatly glued label of one of them is clearly visible when a door opens – briefly releasing a puff of air-conditioned…
Chinese Whispers: On Corruption and the Hambantota Port
On July 2, 2018, Hiru TV aired footage from two press conferences hosted by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) during its 6:55 pm broadcast. During the press conference, the members of…
Digital Battlefield: Launch of Digital Security Wiki
In the year 2018, the divide between online and offline worlds has become increasingly blurred. Behaviour seen in digital spaces and the language used in the dissemination of content mirrors offline practice…
INFOGRAPHIC: Photo Verification
Featured image courtesy Alexandre Dulaunoy Editor’s Note: From a series of infographics tweeted about the importance of fact-checking before sharing unverified content, and also shared content related to media literacy in a bid to raise awareness on…
INFOGRAPHIC: 10 Types of Mis And Disinformation
Editor’s Note: This infographic is part of a series tweeted about the importance of fact-checking before sharing unverified content, and also shared content related to media literacy in a bid to raise awareness on its importance. View…
INFOGRAPHIC: How To Spot False News
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of infographics tweeted about the importance of fact-checking before sharing unverified content, and also shared content related to media literacy in a bid to raise…