Towards a new media culture

The media make news. But in today's context of globalisation, the media are the news. The plethora of media options available to the average citizen is overwhelming - the traditional press, TV and radio and the Internet have become 24/7 news providers.

More new media are emerging - the mobile is fast becoming a news device, as evidenced by the increasingly number of news flashes sent via SMS to the seven million mobile subscribers in this country. Overseas, this new medium is even more diversified.

We pen these lines in the aftermath of Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa's renewed call for a new media culture which upholds both truth and responsibility. Addressing Parliament during the votes of the Media and Information Ministry, Minister Priyadharshana Yapa said the Government was committed to media freedom and the freedom of expression of all individuals.

It is up to the media institutions to use this freedom wisely and responsibly. No Government can 'provide' media freedom per se, as it is up to the media institutions to exercise their rights within Sri Lanka's democratic framework. It is also necessary for media personnel to bear in mind the country's cultural and social norms and sensitivities.

The first casualty in today's fast-paced new environment is often the truth, as networks compete to outdo each other to get there 'first'. Sometimes this leaves little room for the first rule of journalism - verification. The other danger, especially when it comes to electronic media, is sensationalism. A combination of these two factors can lead to a lethal cocktail that could have far reaching consequences.

As we have said before in these columns, we live in extraordinary times. The Security Forces are battling a ruthless adversary, which once again demonstrated its brutality on Wednesday by exploding a claymore mine that killed 15 innocent civilians.

National security must be considered as a priority by all, including the media. The media must refrain from carrying any news or feature items that may even unwittingly or indirectly harm the country's sovereignty and interests.

On the other hand, the media have a duty by the people to inform them of the latest developments in the battlefront. This must necessarily be balanced by national security concerns. They must also ensure that no news item or programme hurts the sentiments of any ethnic, cultural or religious group in the country.

Accurate reporting is essential for a vibrant media. This all boils down to the issue of media ethics, for which a voluntary code has been drawn up by media institutions themselves. Both journalists and the public should be made aware of these ethics.

However, there is no newspaper in the world which does not make mistakes occasionally and aggrieved parties can seek redress through the Press Complaints Commission instead of seeking legal action straight away. In fact, the abolition of Criminal Defamation laws was a major victory for the media. Yet it does not mean that the media can slander anyone with impunity.

There is a saying that no two journalists will write the same story in the same way. However, proper training can ensure that they will write it accurately after following the basic norms of journalism such a re-checking facts and attributing proper sources. It is heartening to note that the Government is considering training for journalists as a priority.

Better local and overseas training for journalists will lead to more professional journalists entering the field.

The welfare of journalists is another major issue. The provision of facilities such as computers is also important. The Minister has explained many steps the Government was taking in this direction.

The much-talked-about pension scheme is becoming a reality at last and those who spearheaded this project deserve our plaudits. Apart from full-time journalists attached to newspapers, radio and television, a considerable number of provincial correspondents contribute to media outlets.

They often do not get any opportunity for training and career advancement. More training programmes should be granted to these individuals, as provincial news is a staple especially for the vernacular press.

That brings us to the gap between journalists working for the vernacular media and the English media, which no one really wants to admit. By virtue of having a working knowledge of English, journalists in the English media have more opportunities for overseas training and exposure to modern trends in journalism.

Thus imparting English and computer knowledge on journalists working in Sinhala and Tamil streams is vital for a more healthy media. Equality should be a keyword in journalism as it is in society.