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Media should be more responsible when reporting: Anura Kumara
View(s):Chief Opposition Whip and JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka yesterday urged the media to be more responsible in its reporting keeping in mind the enormous influence it exerts on the public. “Unlike a time when the media consisted only of newspapers, there is radio and television as well as websites that disseminate news today. Hence it is important for journalists as well as proprietors and the government which controls the state run media to be more mindful,” he said. The JVP lawmaker was speaking during the votes of the Ministry of Finance and Media which was taken up yesterday.
“If we watch a privately owned television station or read a newspaper for a few days in a row, we can see that they are as politicised as the state media. If a media organisation is setting a political agenda to suit its personal agendas, it is not justifiable. Their agendas are no longer hidden or it is not something that can be hidden anymore. It is the right time for the country to set a new media culture,” he said.
The MP said that what is shown as news is more eye for an eye comments going to and fro between politicians. “These have begun to look like theatrical antics. On some days even when we are getting on the stage, we are told to comment on what someone else has said, so instead of politicians saying what they want to, they are being told what o say,” he added.
The JVP MP aid that instead of wholesome debates on issues, what is created are sensational debates. “We cannot blame the media alone for this the public too has to take responsibility for this situation. The media and the public are feeding off each other in this frenzy,” he said.
He was also critical of the superstitions being propagated by some media institutions as well as propagating various beauty products. “By propagating various kinds superstitions and mythology, people are being being hoodwinked. This is leading to an increased decline in society,” he added.
The JVP MP urged the media to work towards creating a more holistic society.
| Media minister denies blocking website | |
| Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday told Parliament his ministry has not blocked any websites. “It is not practical to impose censorship in this day and age. There are ways to view any blocked websites using proxies,” he said. The minister said this when the JVP MP queried why the Government has blocked some web sites. The minister said he reads lankaenews everyday, the website which has been blocked for a few weeks now. |