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| Sunday, 30 January 2005 |
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Editorial |  |
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Please forward your comments to the
Editor, Sunday Observer. E-mail: [email protected] Snail mail : Sunday Observer, 35, D.R.Wijewardana Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Telephone : 94 11 2429239 / 2331181 Fax : 94 11 2429230 Challenge before the media The disaster that befell the country on December 26 last year has thrown an enormous challenge before the whole society. The task of rehabilitation of the victims and the infrastructure destroyed and the construction of structures and systems to withstand future disasters needs superhuman effort. It is a task that could be done only by the collective synergy and will of the people as a whole. Neither the politicians nor officialdom could arrogantly take upon themselves this task. In this scenario media also faces a great challenge. The challenge is in respect of all its traditional roles of providing credible information, being an educator of the people, being a monitor of power, of building an agenda for development, of providing a platform for intellectual debate etc. Much has to be done to inform the people of impending disasters. Disaster management is still an unknown territory for many. There is also the need to explain scientifically the causes of natural and man made disasters so that people would not panic, especially in view of the unsocial activities of rumour mongers. In view of the colossal amounts of foreign aid, both in cash and in kind, the media has a duty to ensure that they are disbursed equitably and with proper accounting and control. They have to monitor and ensure accountability and transparency of institutions that are involved in that task. There is also the incidences of pilferage, misappropriation and hijacking of aid and public resources. The media could do a lot to expose them without fear or favour. This task is more urgent in view of unholy alliances linking politicos, bureaucrats and underworld elements. The media should be vigilant about the activities of interested parties including media managers of various hues who would try to use it for their personal or sectarian objectives. Diverse pressures and inducements could come from not only political and corporate sources but also from those involved in t he NGO sector. It should be remembered that a considerable proportion of foreign aid is being handled by these NGOs and they are outside the purview of any public auditing. The public service will be called upon to share a large burden of the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction effort. Hence the maintenance of an efficient and committed public service is an imperative need of the day. The veil of secrecy that covers the public service and its activities has to be torn apart, if the right to information is to be a reality. In the context of thousands of orphaned children society has a special responsibility to look after them till they grow up. The media should be especially watchful of attempts to exploit them commercially, including attempts to sell them to foreigners as well as guard them against abuse. As a news story elsewhere in this issue highlights those in charge of institutions that look after them are not committed enough and look upon their official duties as just another job. Children need love and affection and not bureaucratic disciplining by irritant administrators. The ways and means of meeting the present challenge has to be debated publicly by all concerned. No one has ready-made solutions. It is consensus building that is the need of the hour. In this task media could provide a forum for the citizenry. As noted by many the present adversity could be made an opportunity to forge national consensus on major national issues including the ethnic question. It is the responsibility of the media to keep this prime goal in mind and desist from the temptation to sensationalise stories that might have an adverse effect on the realization of that goal. For example, positive developments in collaboration between political parties, between the government and the LTTE in the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities should be fostered and facilitated by the media rather than emphasising the negative aspects. There is a dearth of positive news for negative news sells more. The present moment provides ample opportunities to develop confidence-building measures across the ethnic divide. Such opportunities could assist the beginning of future negotiations to bring permanent peace to our divided land. The media also has a special responsibility to ensure human rights of the tsunami victims. This is specially so in view of the fact that most of their economic rights have not been enshrined in the Constitution as fundamental rights. In such a context only mobilization of social pressure could force the authorities to give redress to the just grievances of the affected individuals and communities. The media should not only report but also take the lead in showing the way forward. That is why it cannot abdicate its agenda building responsibility. |
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