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| Friday, 4 June 2004 |
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ITN at twenty-five by Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa
While celebrating its Silver Jubilee on June 5, Independent Television Network (ITN), emphatically asserts its unassailed stature as the original home of Sri Lankan Television. As an inevitable and inescapable outcome of this historical development, almost all the other television stations that came in its wake, had to, grudgingly or even unconsciously, adopt ITN as their role-model. Though it may seem a wee bit immodest, for the purpose of making the record authentic, I must state here that I had the good fortune to be associated, somewhat centrally, with the introduction of television to Sri Lanka. The country was astir and agog with the news of the imminent arrival of this new electronic medium. There is not even a vague trace of exaggeration, when I mention, that, I participated in more than fifty seminars, discussions and conferences about the new medium, that was going to be in our midst, quite soon. There was widespread dialogue about the possible social impacts of television. The credit for introducing television to Sri Lanka has to be given, without any hesitation, to the pioneering entrepreneur Shan Wickremasinghe. Within a few months, his set-up was taken over by the State, converting it into the nucleus, around which ITN was eventually built. Immediately, "television" was bathed in a romantic glow. The glamour of the new found electronic medium, had, nothing less than a hypnotic hold on the Sri Lankan masses. Almost everybody, especially those even peripherally linked to media, evinced an astonishing keenness to get in on the act. In those early days, Sri Lanka had the benefit of the guidance of a media guru, whose education and commitment ensured the transformation of the effusive enthusiasm for television, into a disciplined professionalism. This remarkable teacher was the Canadian TV expert Warner Troyer. He took charge of a group of young men and young women, and put them through a strenuous training, both in the theory and the practical aspects of television. I too was asked to talk to these trainees at that time. Some of those who imbibed the spirit of television, in those early days, under Warner Troyer, are now mature media personalities holding responsible positions in the field of electronic media. Initially, ITN was housed in the SLBC premises and came under the purview of SLBC's administrative hierarchy. Even within such restraining circumstances, Warner Troyer exhibited what could be achieved through inventiveness and imagination. I recollect quite vividly, an early ITN experience, which stands out as a tribute to Warner Troyer. When President Ronald Reagan was sworn-in as the 40th President of the US, way back in January 1981, Warner Troyer decided that, ITN should feature this event somewhat spectacularly. At SLBC premises, the then home of ITN, Warner Troyer had a setting ready to evoke US atmosphere. I was interviewed about the new President's avowed foreign policy and specifically how it would affect us, here in the Asian region. As good luck would have it, Warner Troyer's inspiring example, made an indelible impression on those administrators who followed him. In the slip-stream of Troyer, a yet another towering ITN personality emerged - Thevis Guruge. Though he had matured as a radio person, by and large, Thevis Guruge had the vision to add innovative touches and flourishes, to impart an impressive television presence to ITN. In the subsequent years, when ITN had to face debilitating challenges from the new TV stations, that sprang up at a furious rate, ITN could remain unshaken by it all, as it stood firmly upon a solid, unyielding foundation. In my considered view, the most enduring and precious asset ITN possesses, is its dedicated staff. Drawing upon my not inconsiderable experience, I must say, that the members of the ITN staff bring an ardour and an impressive fervour to their duty. The station, may still be wanting in some advanced technological apparatus and adequate space, but, it is blessed with an amplitude of dedicated personnel. Programmes, continued uninterrupted over long years, are unfailing witness to this devotion. 'Kopi Kade' - a serialised teleplay in which each episode is self-contained, has become a mass favourite. It is nearing its 1000th episode. A good part of the TV viewing population of this country, has acquired an addictive taste for Kopi Kade (coffee-shop) - and, through it, for ITN as well. Over and above such mandatory routine inputs as teledramas, news presentations, musical shows, quiz programmes, sports, discussions and programmes for youth, children and women, ITN has demonstrated from its early days, a daring innovative spirit. As early as March 1981, when a would-be assassin made an abortive attack on President Ronald Reagan, ITN took over the footage of that sensational incident, off a satellite transmission and telecast it over ITN. This stunned everybody, as, at that time it was a remarkable 'scoop'. Today, live transmissions of global events are routine and take place as a matter of course. ITN has always been sensitive to the need to keep its viewers substantially informed about foreign news. I conducted an ITN foreign news analysis titled 'Vides Satiya' for over eight years. Over a long span of time, not even an individual - not to say anything about a public media institution like the ITN - can sustain an even tenor of lifestyle. True to this axiom, during a certain period of its existence ITN's impressive record as an institution of high moral stature, was temporarily marred, when it had to deviate agonizingly from the norm of cultured impartiality, and to stoop to disgustingly low levels of programming. It is quite salutary to note that ITN has been able to get over this nightmarishly painful malaise, as it emerges into the 21st century and to its silver jubilee year. Today, ITN's beginnings as an adjunct of a radio station, form ancient history. ITN celebrates its silver jubilee, beaming a daily programme worldwide. ITN has certainly come a long way. As an individual, who has had a continued - almost an avuncular intimacy with ITN, I heartily congratulate the Chairman Newton Gunaratne, who has fully imbibed the essential spirit of ITN, nourished by pioneering stalwarts. We wish, that he and his dedicated staff at ITN, will continue to hold aloft this torch of committed and impartial communication, without undue hiccups, and will guide the public unerringly towards an era of enlightened information. While lavishing our felicitations, I deem it fit to make a request of ITN authorities. As a part of the silver jubilee celebrations, those at the helm of affairs at ITN should launch a symposium on 25 years of institutionalised television in Sri Lanka. A symposium of that kind, focusing deeply on such issues as the history, evolution and the impact of television on the masses, especially on the younger generation, could be a landmark contribution to the country. Such a symposium could utilise the TV medium quite effectively and the proceedings could be later published as a valuable tome. I am certain that Mr. Newton Gunaratne, always open to constructive suggestions, will make this a practical reality. |
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