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FMM condemns unethical breaching of Rupavahini Corporation
View(s):The Free Media Movement (FMM) issuing a press release recently, condemned the recent incident involving a group of protestors who stormed into the building of the Sate owned Rupavahini Corporation and suspended its broadcast.
The protesters had demanded the television channel run only news related to anti-government protests and entertainment programmes.
Troops guard the Rupavahini state television station which came under a temporary siege by sections of the protesters. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
The media content that broadcasted was decided by the editorial team of respective media institutions and threatening them was a flagrant act, against the principles of media freedom.
“The State media community should be transformed into public service media instead of acting as propaganda tools for existing governments. The idea of combining media regulation with an independent media commission is being promoted to regulate all media including state media and those who use frequencies,” the press release read.
“Freedom of expression is a crucial thing in the media whereas we should acknowledge that ‘freedom should accompany with responsibility’ by all parties,” it added.
The FMM said it thoroughly disapproved of the behaviour of State media, including the National Rupavahini corporation, for its bias in favour of the Government which ultimately pushed the country into a floundering economic crisis, especially at a time when people stood against the Government.
“We are also strongly disappointed at some private media channels who are aligned with the current government and are not being impartial.”
However, the FMM strongly believed media reforms should be introduced after analysing the present situation critically between the media community, the people and the government.
Nevertheless that would not be achieved by storming into a media institution forcibly and giving orders. Such actions were highly condemned and regarded as a threat and violation of media ethics, the movement said.
Following months of escalating protests, and the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the free media movement and the media community in general supported the protest. The peaceful, non-violent ‘aragalaya’ or peoples’ struggle depicted was highly appraised and was highlighted as a positive symbol of the future.
However, taking into consideration recent incidents which took place were black marks for the peoples’ struggle. Breaking into Rupavahini was one of them, the movement said.
The FMM condemned the manner in which two protestors stormed into Rupavahini, while giving orders, during the live broadcast. One of them directly said they did not accept ‘media ethics’ and they were not requesting, but giving orders. The movement claimed the ideas broadcasted were harmful to the community.
“This attack underscores a dangerous threat and therefore, we urge serious attention in this regard and we believe the right to express one’s opinion is the core foundation of all rights,” FMM Convener Lasantha de Silva said.
“Thus, we request all parties who contributed towards a peaceful protest, not to be spoiled by such people and protect the positive qualities of the protests even during a challenging situation.”
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