UNF Media Spokesperson, parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera in a letter to the Elections Commissioner has noted that the state owned Rupavahini and Independent Television Network (ITN) have distorted comments made by General Sarath Fonseka.

The state media has once again commenced its usual biased reporting as practiced during election time at the forthcoming Presidential election period as well. State media institutions have to be properly managed as they function with public funds. Although it is unethical, we could understand if these media institutions show some special treatment towards the governing party. However, the state media institutions have undertaken the task of washing dirty linen on behalf of the government showing no respect to media ethics or the importance of unbiased reporting by the media.

The implementation of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution is expected to give powers to the independent Elections Commission to insure the independence of the Elections Commissioner. It also paves the way for the appointment of an independent media commission. However, legal experts observe that even without the appointment of an independent Elections Commission, the Elections Commissioner was vested with the necessary power to intervene in affairs related to the police, public service and media.

Therefore, political parties and election monitors have made several representations to the Elections Commissioner outlining the powers vested with him to appoint a Competent Authority to overlook the functions of the state media. The distorted news items carried in the state media about the opposition and especially the common candidate General Sarath Fonseka are a clear indication of the fear psychosis among government ranks about Sarath Fonseka. The fear against General Fonseka that is now being portrayed through the actions of the state media are a positive sign indicating General Fonseka’s victory at the elections.

Apart from the state owned Rupavahini and ITN, other state owned media institutions like the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Lak Handa Radio and Lake House are also engaged in biased news reporting without any regard to media ethics. The editorials and feature articles in Lake House newspapers also written in the same biased manner.

The first step towards a free and fair Presidential election is to appoint a Competent Authority to supervise the articles and news reports carried by the state media. After appointing such a Competent Authority, attention should also be paid to ensure that the state media institutions follow the directives issued by such a Competent Authority.

Apart from news reporting, guidelines should also be issued on feature programmes produced by state media institutions. Since the Presidential election campaign shave been launched, it is important to pay attention to the distortion to statements carried by state media institutions and to take actions against the media institutions that act in violation to the relevant laws.

We call for your kind attention to be paid to address the issue about distortions in news reports by state media institutions on behalf of all opposition political parties, civil society and multi national organizations

Shiral Lakthileka
Media Spokesperson,
Media Watch.