More air time to criticize govt.: President

8 July 2016 11:23 am - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday private television channels had allocated more air time to criticize the government instead of showcasing the development activities carried out by the government.

“It is reported that some private television channels allocate 80% of their air time to criticize the government. They only give less than 20% of the time for acknowledging people about the development activities of the country and the policies of the government”, the President said.

He said this during an inspection visit to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC) yesterday to look into the activities of the TRC as it comes under the purview of the President.

“There is no problem of criticizing the government. But the media institutions have a responsibility to fulfill for the country by conveying fair and balanced information to the people”, he pointed out.

“It is not a task to alleviate the media, but to give the right to the people for a meaningful media usage”, the President added.

When the officials pointed out the issues arisen due to the VAT imposed on the telephone charges, the President stated he would make the arrangements to solve them.

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Comments - 10

mm Friday, 08 July 2016 11:48 AM

only 20% work has been done so nothing else to say in the media via DM iOS App

Gayan Friday, 08 July 2016 11:49 AM

Coming colours not good

annoyee Friday, 08 July 2016 12:07 PM

Yes, media is used to report juicey stories to make thier ends. And they need sonm rehabilitation too.

kan Friday, 08 July 2016 03:00 PM

If these criticisms are wrong, action should be taken against media for wrong reporting, if they are right, then it is the way move forward to make wrong to right.

kk Friday, 08 July 2016 03:28 PM

DO ONLY GOOD THEN NO BAD ON AIR via DM Android App

Citizen Friday, 08 July 2016 04:30 PM

What development activities? We don't see any.

Sam Friday, 08 July 2016 07:02 PM

Very true no private media air the good this days, its a well known truth only some bad

Freddy Saturday, 09 July 2016 09:32 AM

Listen to the people a mandate given and will be taken back. Yes media has to be transparent , not Tamil ltte type like tamilnet. Most of the lies are with the Tamil diaspora scheming for a separate state which is the most important.

G.M. Jayawardena Saturday, 09 July 2016 09:41 AM

By the time he would look into the communication vat matter the people may have had paid a lot. Instead of working he is now blaming the media. The people have already felt how good is the government...even without the media...

Henry Sunday, 10 July 2016 02:35 AM

RIP - Justice, Transparency

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More air time to criticize govt.: President

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