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Mangala team launches mission to ‘buy’ journos
The new Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera is reported to have told a newly established 'public relations' unit of his ministry to 'buy over' journalists from the private media.

Minister Samaraweera on Wednesday gave a special team of three Information Department officers the task of seeking the support of journalists of private media and reportedly told them that he was willing to spend for liquor to achieve this end. The minister reportedly said he was not in a position to organise foreign trips for them, but could arrange some local trips.

The move comes amidst plans of the minister to reshuffle top positions in the state media. The Sunday Times learns that Minister Samaraweera has already formulated plans and is awaiting the return of President Chandrika Kumaratunga to get her approval.

Earlier, Mr. Samaraweera met state media bosses and told them to immediately stop their campaign of attacking the JHU, the SLMC, the CWC and the LTTE. He told them that instead they should turn their guns on the government's main enemy, the UNP.

In the wake of this, the Free Media Movement issued a tough statement accusing Minister Samaraweera of violating the principles of democracy and media freedom by giving such orders and directions to the state media.

State television Rupavahini broadcast the FMM protest, provoking Mr. Samaraweera to ask Rupavahini why it had given publicity to FMM instead of to more important matters.

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