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| Tuesday, 9 September 2003 |
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Forced might of political power and rights of the media Facts are Stubborn by Anton Gunasekera Nine nights back, a prominent Sri Lankan media person stood on stage, undeterred by the high-profile elite environment around him, and spoke out his heart in no uncertain terms, on the incontrovertible comparison and contrast between the forced might of political power to appear in the frontyard of the forum to make his/her presence felt, and the Fundamental Right of Media to abide by her true tenets of Responsible Journalism, by watching from the backyard, and sacredly 'news-report' and 'free-comment'on how undue advantage could be taken on stage at the expense of a presumed gullible public. The occasion was the staging of the annual 'Sarasaviya Sammana-2003" cinema awards festival at the BMICH, Colombo which had been staggered out for long, but revitalized through the timely intervention of a benign Beiragedera. What Padmakumara of 'Paththara Mahagedera' (his novel title to the High House by the Lake - in memory of founding father, late illustrious Don Richard Wijewardena) said, in effect, without mincing words, in his welcome address, was indeed meaningful to every professional and vocational. 'Political patronage would be out of place, when Sri Lankans, young and not so young, pay tribute to their fellow countrymen who have brought honour to our island nation, through proving their inherent skills and latent talent, via the cultivation and promotion of the arts and sciences, in their chosen profession or vocation. We have here in our midst several politicians. But they have graced this occasion - only in their capacity as our fellow brothers and sisters who contributed their mite, and thus brought prestige to, our small world of Sri Lanka cinema.' Tonight is two nights; first of cinema, next of media; to give international coverage to an annual event to which Lake House has given and will continue to give a longlasting helping hand." Referring to Chief Guest, nextdoor neighbour nation's internationally-renowned Indian Cinema-Wizard, Producer/Director Mani-the-Man, Padmakumara harped on the highest chord, when he proclaimed in soft-spoken tone. 'I saw his latest cinematic piece, the best among his many breathtaking movies of yesteryear. The finale moved me to tears...because it related to the tragedy of the country of my birth. Time and Tide waits for no man. But..in that destined period of time, our individual independence matters most - be it cinema or media - the frontyard,the backyard or...?" Well said, Well done - 'Paththara Mahagedera' Padmakumara! In the twilight of an unbroken, unblemished media career - spanning a near five decades - we neither gave nor sought gratitudes or gratifications in the discharge of our 'Written Word' duty towards the uplift of the common good. It is mere appreciation of one media colleague for his forthright attitude and the courage of his convictions to call a 'spade a spade' - no matter what! He has done his devotion to Fourth Estate duty. That is the one and only reason which prompted us to highlight this media-man, who you see daily on the 'gold wave' at day's dawn. He needs to be emulated by our yet-learning younger ones in our sacred media profession. |
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