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| Sunday, 8 January 2006 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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On the occasion of 107th
birth anniversary of S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike :
On press dictatorship
It has given me the greatest pleasure to have accepted the invitation of the Press Association of Ceylon and to be present here at this most enjoyable dinner. The Chairman stated that perhaps this was the first occasion that I attended a function of a Press Association. It is not altogether so. I have had the privilege both in this country and in other countries of attending similar functions of Press proprietors, editors. press dukes, barons and so forth. Certainly this is the first occasion I have had the pleasure of attending a function of those in the lower rung of the Press industry, if I may call it an industry. This Association is chiefly composed of reporters, correspondents, and also, I believe, of the lower rungs of the editorial staff. The Chairman referred to the responsibilities of the Press the responsibilities of the Press in guiding public opinion and in reflecting public opinion. Very true, that responsibility is particularly important in a country like this where we have something approaching a press monopoly. One of the most unhealthy features in this democracy of Sri Lanka is this existence of what in fact amounts to press dictatorship, a press monopoly. I cannot help being amused at times when the Press, or certain sections of it, accuse me of dictatorial tendency, dictatorial action, shout out and scream out their adherence to the principle of democracy when, as a matter of fact, their own position provides one of the most pernicious and vicious dictatorships the world, particularly the democratic world, can possibly know. That is a dictatorship of the Press. It is one of the worst types of dictatorship. Political dictator A political dictator, well, there you know where he is, so that you know where you are, but with Press dictatorship you do not know. The ordinary public do not know where they are with Press dictatorship. A political leader makes his speech. They know well that it is his view. But when something appears in a newspaper, people do not attribute it to an individual. It is something impersonal and therefore has a greater force. There are various methods by which a newspaper concern can put forward ideas and views in a way that does not become apparent to the reading public. If I say something, they know that it is my view. They know what value to attach to it. If my good friend, Dr. N. M. Perera, says something, they know that it is Dr. N. M. Perera's view and they know what value to attach to that. But in a newspaper, by various methods of omission, of commission, of a slight twist here, a slight distortion there, by letters addressed to the Press usually under the title 'Pro Bono Publico', generally manufactured in the Press office itself, by various articles and by various editorial stratagems, a wrong impression can be created in the minds of the public. Therefore, you will realise the great responsibility that lies on the shoulders of the Press especially in a country where there is something approaching a Press dictatorship and a Press monopoly as we have in this country. Of course, all those newspapers concerned may well turn round and say it is not their fault. Others are welcome to start newspapers if they wished. Of course, that is perfectly true; but in a small country like ours it is not easy to have a large number of daily newspapers as in other big countries like England or America or any other western country where every shade of opinion is represented in different papers. Influence Of course the Press has influence; but I wonder sometimes how far that influence really extends. Judging from my own case, the Press, or a certain important influential section of the Press of this country, has generally been hostile to me during the whole of the 30 years of my public career; but it seems to have done me much more good than otherwise. I know of a number of blue-eyed babies of the Press who have crashed. In my case I seem to be going on and on without being particularly affected. Those may be exceptional cases. I do not know how far the Press does, and can be able to wield influence and, therefore, the responsibility that lies on the Press for honesty and integrity, for honest reporting and honest comment, is greater than it is in any other sphere of public activity. Reporting is a very difficult task. In the first place, the unfortunate reporter has to bear in mind the policy of the editor of the newspaper which he serve. He would, therefore, naturally be expected to pick out things in the speech that would be welcome from the point of view of editorial policy rather than make a fair and impartial report of the speech which he is supposed to be taking down. No doubt you suffer from that difficulty. You have formed an Association. I do not know whether you are a Trade Union yet. I do not know whether you are going to engage in some strike. I have got so salted in strikes in the last two and a half years, you know, that I shall be very glad to be of assistance in settling your strikes, putting the thumbscrew on your editors or proprietors if the need arises, just as much as I had to put the thumbscrew on so many people engaged in strikes in this country in the past two years to bring some friendly and amicable settlement. You should not have any fear that I am really inciting you to go on strike. But, of course, you all have rights. We are told that this is a democratic country. You must be prepared to fight by legitimate democratic methods to ensure your democratic rights. I thank you very much for the kind invitation you have issued to me to be present amongst you. It has been a great pleasure to be amongst you. I wish your Association all success and prosperity in the future. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike was known for the salvos he fired at opponents
without malice but with telling effect. We carry excerpts of his address to
the then Press Association of Ceylon on January 10, 1959. 
