Heed PM's statement on communalism -FMM

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Media heads, public interest groups and the masses should pay attention to the recent statement made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at a public rally, that certain sections of the media are again attempting to promote communalism to destabilise the country, Free Media

Movement Convener Sunil Jayasekera told the Sunday Observer.

Jayasekara said this is an important statement that society should focus on. Today certain media are run by institutions to gain narrow political objectives and create a political fear psychosis among people saying that the country is in danger.

The anarchy created in the country due to mistrust, uncertainty created among communities would finally bring serious repercussions, Jayasekara said. After Independence, it has not been possible to ensure a common consensus. Certain media through promoting communalism attempt to consolidate their political and economic power.

"It is the responsibility of society to defeat these attempts by certain sections of the media to promote communalism. " Jayasekara said that today there is a threat to local media. "But it is from within the media industry. This industry is different from all industries because it is based on social responsibility. At present the monopoly of the media is in the hands of a few individuals and most media institutions cannot survive from the income they earn. They are run using money of their owners."

Addressing a public rally the Prime Minister was critical of the conduct of certain sections of the print media. "Some are trying to use the print media to create communalism. Several Sinhala newspapers had reported that terrorism is re-emerging and the country would be divided. These are the people who went to town for Mahinda Rajapaksa. The editors and journalists of some of these newspapers held positions in the Government and in the publications. If they are trying to create communalism, then we are prepared to respond. All those media companies that engaged in communalism will be removed from the Stock Exchange. I request you to go and work for Mahinda Rajapaksa, please don't work for us.

We will not tolerate attempts to whip up communalism. There is a complaint which I have to settle. I will call all of them including Sunil Jayasekara from the Free Media Movement and let them say what they have to say.

I will call up those in the Human Rights Commission and the Maha Sangha there too if they are needed," the Prime Minister was quoted as saying.

Media and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gayantha Karunathileka said the Prime Minister only expressed his opinion on a matter affecting the nation. He has the right to air his views on a matter of national importance if he thinks that would affect the larger interest of the country.

"The Prime Minister didn't threaten any newspaper editors.

He is a veteran politician. He hails from a family who owned the country's flagship newspaper organisation, Lake House.

Therefore, most of the politicians do not have the knowledge which the Prime Minister has on the media," he said.

The Minister said those who attempted to justify the killings and various other harassment faced by journalists during the tenure of the former Government are clamouring for media freedom today.

Some Opposition members attempt to misinterpret the Premier's statement and get mileage due to their political bankruptcy.

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Party Leader and Western Provincial Councillor Udaya Gammanpila at a media briefing held in Colombo on Wednesday charged that the Premier spoke in a threatening manner mentioning the names of editors of three leading Sinhala newspapers. He said this threat has been posed on journalists by the second citizen in the country. Gammanpila alleged that media organisations such as the Free Media Movement didn't even issue a statement condemning this statement.

If media organisations fulfill their duty on behalf of journalists, politicians don't need to intervene or talk about these matters, he added.