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Last Updated : 2024-05-28 12:00:00
4 October 2023 11:00 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Journalism is one of the most powerful careers, with the pen holding more power than even the highest position in any country.
The media works tirelessly every single day to feed the public with news, and that too in an accurate manner in order to fight disinformation and expose those corrupt.
However in Sri Lanka, for politicians, the media seems to be beneficial only during elections or when they want to blow their own trumpet.
During elections, just like the Gods of all religions are remembered and visited by every politician, journalists also receive the 'privilege' of hearing sweet, flavourful language from politicians, in the hope they would get good prominence in the national news bulletins and newspapers.
However, soon after the elections are over, journalists usually turn into WWF wrestlers for these leaders, with interviews usually ending up in verbal wrestling matches.
It has been too long now that Sri Lankan political leaders, when questioned by journalists on transparency, accountability, corruption and violations have ended up going into a defensive mode, accusing the interviewer rather than giving straight answers for questions asked. We have seen multiple times that when these leaders have been put into a spot over their failures, they turn to accusing the media for being biased and carry 'personal agendas' rather than giving clear answers to accept their failures.
In Sri Lanka, the most common answer received by the politician is that, "Sri Lanka has commissions appointed and we will do our own investigations". But little do they know that neither do their endless commissions and investigations have to date brought justice to the victims or ended the endless corruption.
Journalists should be lauded for their patience and courage to bear the insults of political leaders who look at aggressive answers to belittle the media as their only way of saving themselves from being answerable to the public. We journalists are a lot who are usually at the receiving end but continue highlighting the wrong despite the pressure.
Maybe it is high time the political lot realize that shooting the messenger will not work anymore.
Kandy Wednesday, 04 October 2023 11:18 AM
President disgraced the entire country
Jayaratne Wednesday, 04 October 2023 11:36 AM
Well said!
Maheepala Wednesday, 04 October 2023 11:37 AM
What happens if the journalist are biased
Joseph Wednesday, 04 October 2023 11:57 AM
Not only journalists other professional too should be respected Unfortunately there are journalists who do not deserved to be respected
City Wednesday, 04 October 2023 12:04 PM
You have to give respect to get. Also if media ethics are being followed , things would be better.
Ram Wednesday, 04 October 2023 12:15 PM
Those who attempt to kill the media will be wiped out from politics sooner than later. Gota is the best example
melville perera Wednesday, 04 October 2023 12:21 PM
It is the guilty who are vociferous about media exposures and going to extremes to suppress the print and electronic media Their opposition reminds me of the known guilty being brought to Courts in the Black Maria all covered in unclean sheets to hide their identity and say NOT I SIR from the dock
Media Wednesday, 04 October 2023 12:31 PM
Now they are in the pockets of political leaders. They don't follow media ethics and equality.. They must question all leasers and they must work for people not for any party politics . Politicians buy them . So sad to see this . Western media is different. They don't care about what politicians do or say but they tell the truth
Tom Wednesday, 04 October 2023 12:35 PM
Journalists, Clergy, Politicians...All the people in all wakes of life should be respected when they behave decently. No one can demand respect. All are in one plane and equal footing.Media or anybody is not not in a higher plane than others. They get the same treatment.
Bon Wednesday, 04 October 2023 12:41 PM
So you are saying the powerful can do anything
Yeti Wednesday, 04 October 2023 12:46 PM
You should be ashamed for defending a aggressive third class media host.
C Fernando Thursday, 05 October 2023 08:19 AM
Those who defend an aggressive, third class, unstatesman politician should be ashamed. A statesman would keep calm and answer questions in a dignified manner no matter what the provocation. That is the hallmark of a statesman. Not the gamey chandiya attitude which seems to be applauded by some of the commentary here, thus reflecting their own shortcomings.
Count Wednesday, 04 October 2023 12:50 PM
You must be joking!
Cool Wednesday, 04 October 2023 12:54 PM
Like politicians, journalists also are part of the society. No one has to bow down to a politician or a journalis just because they are powerful.
Sambo Wednesday, 04 October 2023 01:34 PM
The president has media phobia. That's why he is after the media.
Bryan Ekenaike Wednesday, 04 October 2023 01:37 PM
How does the 'online safety bill' compare with RW's interview by the DW journalist A sure example of 'utter hippocrisy" don't you think??
Ram Wednesday, 04 October 2023 01:43 PM
We have seen media killers in power and our present leaders too have skeletons on media in their cupboards
Major Wednesday, 04 October 2023 02:17 PM
I don't think Ranil deliberately wanted to go all out attack to that journalist. That bugger was just an unfortunate victim of stress and frustration accumulated inside Ranil during past couple of weeks especially due to the delay of highly anticipated second tranche of IMF loan and lack of support from western countries. I'm not justifying the behavour. But even the strongest can snap sometimes.
Ding Pang Wednesday, 04 October 2023 04:01 PM
This man will never give-up until the Satan JRJ calls him! People need to be patient and wait - it will be very soon.
Volker Metzger Wednesday, 04 October 2023 04:12 PM
On the occasion of today's article, which I am sharing with you, I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to the daily mirror for its excellent journalistic work! For a long time I have been reading and commenting on articles and contributions from your newspaper, which is characterized by objectivity, openness, factuality and political balance!!! In my opinion, it is an indispensable medium in political discussion and irreplaceable for forming people's opinions! Continue to follow the path of courageous and free journalism, even in difficult times!!!
Tom jones Thursday, 05 October 2023 04:17 AM
The President is off his head. He was appointed by members of Parliament . Can you expect anything better from this set of Parliament members
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