Hail the courage and new paradigm of Capital M

Most importantly when civil rights of the common man, especially their right to law, order, and protection are threatened can a channel to seek redress and highlight such acts as a measure to discourage others receive greater focus within this new media culture? Supportive measure for those in governance who are discriminated or reprimanded merely for doing their duty correctly, professionally and in the interest of those whom they serve must also be offered.

Civil society must hail the courageous media group in Sri Lanka that stands for its viewers- the public, especially the powerless common people.

Their positive people oriented broadcasts, Action TV, were applauded by many for whom it was the only available medium of showing their untold suffering, discrimination and most importantly the social exclusion from the support base of infrastructure and other services expected from public institutions and those in charge of governance.

This much needed media action reflecting the action expectations from those in authority, was the only available demand of accountability by the excluded powerless millions.

The number of occasions on which these broadcasts have brought the injustice and suffering to the attention of and action by those in governance were proof of the effectiveness of this particular media station.

Even more satisfying were the occasions to view the smiles on the faces of the excluded and their accolades for the media station upon their grievances being addressed and relief sought granted by those in governance.

The action broadcasts of this media group has been and is a continuing value addition to the civil society, who must applaud, encourage and support this group.

This media group recently set a new paradigm of civil society value in strengthening the chain of accountability by those in governance, when they broadcast the departing words of a governance chief and questioned the validity of these claims of good govrnance and high achievements in relation to the poor record of governance from the same arm of accountability under his command in the recent past.

This was a new leaf, an act of courage and a much needed eye opener for those in governance with a thread of hope for the marginalized and excluded segments in civil society.

Civil society lives in hope of a better tomorrow in the areas of law, order, security, good governance, fair delivery of infrastructure and other government services, human and personal rights, fairness, meritocracy, freedom and transparency and above all civil liberties.

They certainly applaud the courage and action and say “Magnificent performance” Capital M and may you keep up your good work, as we the civil society stand behind you, the savior of our rights and our path to good governance.

Civil society looks to not only Capital M but other print, voice and vision media too in a similar hope.

Can the public expect amongst the high level of “negative news” now covered to see a coverage of “positive news” featuring the goodness in man- instances where individuals and those in governance have stretched a hand of support to others in a selfless manner, a personal achievement which is an example for society or an instance of overcoming heavy odds facing the individual in the quest for such achievement, or extending beyond the expectation of duty or acting in a manner befitting the larger segment of society.

Here too it was pleasing to see Capital M feature prominently a poor garden labourer who risked his life to save two children from a burning house. We need more such broadcasts, including the featuring of the Sinhalese villages of Panama, who are said to have recently ferried across the Tamil villages of Pothuvil when threatened by Muslim brothers.

Can issues of transparency, accountability and good governance demands of the marginalized and the excluded be given more space? Can also the “facts and figures” of instances of waste, leakage and damage to public property be featured and also the alternate questioning voice of professionals, civil society and religious leaders challenging and placing in a correct perspective the sermons and factual statements of leaders be aired and published.

The waves of illicit activity and gangster type actions of those who challenge the law, and corrupt our social order with illicit drugs, narcotics and alcohol, or terrorize the innocent, kidnap and demand ransom and where people suddenly go missing or are abducted must also be highlighted. The gun culture and trigger happy persons in power and their goons and ex service persons said to be available to be deployed for action at the beckoning of a call and a promise of success fees must be threatened from despite the high protection they now appear to enjoy.