The Weligama Declaration 2006:
The role of media for national unity
The ‘Weligama Declaration’ emerged at a workshop organised by the Bakeer
Markar Centre for National Unity. This Declaration will be officially
launched October 18 at the BMICH at 10.30 a.m. Media Minister Anura
Priyadarshana Yapa and UNP Deputy Leader, Karu Jayasuriya will grace the
occasion. “Journalists, editors, news directors, and other media
practitioners of the Sri Lankan mass media along with media scholars and
other concerned activists, gathered at Weligama, from September 09-10,
2006, to collectively reflect on the theme of the “Role of Media in
National Unity” in a workshop convened by the Bakeer Markar Centre for
National Unity, unanimously resolved to adopt this Declaration. The
gathering and the concerned focus is prompted by the severity of the
crisis faced by Sri Lankan society and all its peoples which has
threatened the very survival of our economy, society and political
system. The long-felt need to understand various dynamics that has lead
us to this situation which, if not creatively and imaginatively resolved
could further deteriorate into more complex crises. The prospect of
worsening conflict challenges the mass media to actively mobilise its
capacities in performing its role as society’s watchdog and
bridge-builder. As the principle structure of social communication,
the Sri Lankan mass media plays a crucial role in the cultural and
intellectual life of our society as it grapples with this enormous
challenge. The media’s role is especially significant in the development
of collective understandings, new concepts, social awareness and the
momentous decisions needed to meet the challenge.
Thus, this workshop has arrived at the following conclusions: 1. There
is a need for the building of a Sri Lankan nation while recognising and
respecting our diverse social and cultural identities.,
2. The media should enable the articulation of the diversity of
socio-cultural interests and political aspirations in the process of
nation building.,
3. The mass media must fulfil the task of clarifying misconceptions
that could nurture inter-ethnic tensions and suspicions.,
4. There should be greater self-awareness by the media practitioner
of his/her significance as an actor in the construction of greater
social, cultural and political unity.,
5. There is already an acknowledgement that sections of the mass
media in all three languages have contributed towards the deepening of
the conflict. At times, however, the media has acted in a socially
responsible manner in the coverage of incidents without allowing such
incidents to lead to larger social tensions. Such a practice should be
adhered to in the reportage of the ethnic conflict as a whole.,
6. This forum is of the view that a self-critical approach by the
media as well as constructive criticism of the media by the intellectual
community will help the media profession and industry play a more
positive role.,
7. Media has a role to play in promoting dialogue and consultation
between all social and political formations in the country.,
8. The market conditions in which the media industry operates and,
the compulsions of capturing and retaining audiences, has also
contributed to the polarisation of communities. The industry has the
potential to exploit markets in a more imaginative manner that can build
on audience unity rather than cause audience polarisation.,
9. The media will function more effectively if it is equipped with a
wholesome composition of the professional cadre in each institution with
adequate representation from diverse social groups. Knowledge of the two
major languages in the country would greatly boost the professional
cadre’s capacity for effective reportage.,
10. The credibility of the media should derive from an adherence to a
generally accepted and collectively adopted professional Code of
Practice. There is a need for the media to work towards such
industry-wide professional standards, including codes of practice.,
11. The media is expected to focus attention in urgent social
situations such as disasters in a manner that will spotlight the human
predicament irrespective of region or ethnicity.,
12. The current degree of competition in the media industry is
leading to a reportage that exacerbates social tensions. Therefore, we
call on: 1. Regular, focused consultation among media practitioners on
various important aspects of the national issues in order to build a
common professional discourse;,
2. The media industry to evolve programmes and offer incentives to
enable the professional cadre build various capacities to fulfill the
goals and objectives mentioned above, especially to build -
cross-cultural knowledge,fair, balanced and more analytical reporting
skills, enhanced multi-lingual skills, broadened professional horizons
through exposure to the global media industry context.,
3. Media policy formulation: Editorial independence in policy
formulation and media operations is crucial for the growth and
consolidation of the Sri Lankan media industry. Given their proximity to
audiences, there should be greater consultation with the journalist
cadre in the formulation of publication or broadcast policy of media
enterprises.,
4. We expect the media industry as a whole, including industry
ownership, to commit to a regular dialogue within the industry as to its
role and policy in building national unity.,
5. We call on all media industry related bodies and professional
associations to collaborate more closely for the achievement of the
above mentioned objectives, so that the industry as a whole could more
effectively make its due contribution to the national unity of the
country.” |