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A timely manual on election reporting

Prof Sunanda MAHENDRA

Title: Nidahas Saha Sadharana Mativarana Varta Karanaya Free and fair

A journalist's guide to improved election reporting in emerging democracies

Author: Lisa Schnellinger

Adaptor: Daya Lankapura

Publisher: Sri Lanka

Environmental

Journalists'

Forum

Page count: 60

Price: Rs. 150

Daya Lankapura is a well known name in the field of journalism with special reference to his ability in investigative journalism. To his credit he has been working in newspapers such as Etta and Divaina and later was qualified from the universities at home and abroad. With a good intention Lankapura has embarked on an adaptation project to help the fellow working journalists to fathom and engage more methodically in the reporting activities. I cannot comment on abilities and neither the pluses nor minuses in the original work by the Schnellinger as I have not read the work. But certainly I can ascertain the value of the same on going through Lankapura's adaptation.

In the first instance a free and fair election in a democratic frame is well defined. It is supposed to be the supreme factor in the electoral process, and whatever is written by way of reporting on the subject too but to be a supreme process. In this manner of methodical discussion ensues on the subject as a preface.

The credibility of the mass media channels too depend on this process from the point of view of those who become the witnesses to the electoral system. The biases have to be avoided and the partial treatment on the part of the communicators have to be avoided as far as possible. The selectivity of the vast gamut of information that flood the scene has to be gauged and understood in the best possible manner to disseminate the very same information to the recipients.

This brief but well planned presentation is followed by yet another brief comment by the adaptor to import some of his own experiences in the local scene. With a sense of authenticity he cites several examples drawn from actual events over the years.

He goes to the extent of rediscovering the concept of election or electoral reporting (mativarana varthakaranaya) and how the local media persons exchange, some of their professional experiences according to the adaptor Lankapura this book is a selection of some of the key chapters of the original work, which he had utilized as teaching material at several communication workshops held by the Environmental Journalists' Forum. In his adaptation, Lankapura deals with the following aspects in a simple language:

1. The understanding of the concept of election reporting.

2. The ways to look at it clarifying the standpoints of voters, campaigners, promoters and activists etc.

3. Some guidelines to avoid pitfalls in the actual reporting such as taking bribes, enforcement of fear and anger, misusing of campaigns and other constraints

4. The vigilance regarding the election which envelopes aspects such as your own standpoint as a media person as against others etc.

5. Gauging your own credibility as a professional measure, and the question you must raise from yourself about your own function.

6. Various standards one should adhere and to abide by the value of the election function.

7. Clarification of the concepts such as the gravity of the event covered by the seriousness of the issues raised.

8. The gauging of your media function as paving the way to the creation of a better climate for public opinion, thereby broadening the mass mind. In this area he formulates some of his own examples as a role play.

9. The need to innovate a timeframe for your reporting and investigating function. This enables the people read a better climate of opinion.

10. The need to know an election process from the point of view of the masses. This includes factors such as the very voting process (how to vote), the registration of your name, the objectives of holding an election (or why an election is wanted) and the patience required on the part of voters which include the voting behaviour.

11. Helping the recipient to grow a credibility on your medium. All this is followed by a significant chapter on ten steps to interviewing. These include preparation, topicality, awareness, guiding ethical codes, listening, contemplation, body language, revision of what is gathered etc.

The manual is for the general reader as well as the student of the subject a series of glossarial terms, which I felt is a must in the study.

There may be new additions to this series, but I feel that these terms could easily enter into the already available glossaries published by several universities.

All in all this is a timely manual or a hand book, for the professional as well as the common reader.

[email protected]

Challenging common myths and superstitions

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Book: 'Manoranjana

Mithya Katha'

Author: Thilak

Senasinghe

*********

Have you ever been to a soothsayer? If I ask this from many, pat may come the answer "yes". It simply shows how beliefs and practices based on the 'stars' are deeply rooted in our society. Myths about 'Mahasohon Awatharaya', 'Kalukumara Dishtiya' have since of yore become a part of Sri Lankan rural society.

'Manoranjana Mithya Katha' is an investigative book by Thilak Senasinghe, referring to wide-spread myths in our country. As a journalist by profession, Thilak earlier had published two books on the same subject ( Janakantha Mithya Matha , in 2001 and Kemmura Thenna, in 2003). Beside that he has gifted the local readership with two novels ( Agni Chamara and Suduparevi Mal).

Influence of myths in society is a common experience in every culture. It plays a greater role in eastern cultures compared to western customs.

In 'Manoranjana Mithya Katha' Thilak shares his experiences on some common myths and superstitions in the Sri Lankan society.

Houses haunted by spirits, Speaking of Previous Births, Human Possessed by Demons, People who are Practising Supernatural Powers, Converse with Dead People are some topics to mention which Thilak has written with incidents he claims as true. He has put in a great effort to investigate into these incidents and discover the truth behind these stories.

Most of these incidents appeared to be true at first, but further examination in to the matters Thilak has proved with social, scientific and psychological facts most of the incidents are not to be true.

We have a tendency to misinterpret natural occurrences connecting with dilutions like ghosts or spirits. Poltergeists are quite a common phenomena in our society. We have heard stories about ghosts throwing stones and sand inside houses. In many incidents it was a member of the same family or a neighbour who has committed this act. Sometimes people do this kind of things due to mental imbalance whereas others do to take revenge, and personal for gain.

In another incident, a small Sinhala boy (Lakshan) suddenly started to speak in Tamil. He had never learnt Tamil in his home or at school. Lakshan even used to call his mother an aunt sometimes. As his speaking accent is more similar to that of Jaffna Tamils his parents and neighbours began to believe Lakshan was speaking of a previous birth, where he lived as a Tamil girl in Jaffna. People from all parts of the country come to see Lakshan and his story becomes famous. Lakshan's story is published in some newspapers as well. Later it has been revealed that Lakshan had learnt Tamil from some Tamil friends at his previous school. Explaining the background of this story Thilak says "When children capture something with their peripheral senses it can linger in their mind for a long time. With a stimulation in mind suddenly it can emerge any time". As parents we should not entertain these weird behaviors of children. But what is truly happening in our society is with the encouragements of parents and elderly people children become to act realistically. There are many incidents where parents used children in their made up stories for money and publicity.

Pointing out the Buddhist perspective on re-birth, Thilak has mentioned in Mahaskkaya Sutta a monk named Sathi asking the Buddha " Master, do we carry a connective consciousness to our next birth". The Buddha replies " Sathi, it is neither the same person, nor some other person that is to be born in our next birth".

"Today we have gone far away from true Buddhist teachings and practices. It has given the opportunity to spread these misbeliefs in our society. Even though Buddhism is not totally against worshipping of gods and existence of disembodied, it never encourages people to seek assistance from them", Thilak said. 'Walk On Fire' is another ritual that has been practised through generations to please gods. People believe with the blessings of God, faithful devotees could walk on fire with less harm to their feet. Thilak explains this in his book with a biological explanation. As a result of a high stimulation in mind, our body releases enzymes which causes pleasure and make our immunization system strong, so it can help that person to bear the burning with less pain.

According to Thilak, lack of knowledge in psychology and parapsychology in our society have made the situation worse. There are mental illnesses and disorders which entertain with divine interpretations among the rural community. Our traditional thinking pattern has often become a hindrance to seek the truth about these myths.

In a later chapter of 'Manoranjana Mithya Katha', Thilak extends his views on Sinhala new year celebrations with a controversial idea. His opinion is that the Sinhala Buddhist community must observe Vesak festival as their prime festival of the year. He further states our history gives evidence in Mahawansa, to prove our great kings have celebrated the Vesak festival as the most important festival of the year. We have celebrated it throughout for more than a thousand years continuously. It was after Indian invention that this great tradition got changed. Thilak emphasised that we should bring back our lost Sinhala Buddhist tradition into practice.

'Manoranjana Mithya Katha' will probably lead to a healthy dialogue in Sinhala Buddhist society to re-think their traditions.

Anuradha Abeysekara

A focus on foreign films

*****

Book: Cinema cinima

ore ulaka valam

Author: K.S. Sivakumaran

Publication: Meera

publication

*********

As it stands the cinema industry today comprising the technological and commercial institutions of film making, spans the globe. While Hollywood is considered movie capital of the world, multi-lingual Indian cinema is considered the largest in the world. A first hand experience in having to associate with some of those personalities involved in film making is quite a fortune.

'Cinima cinema ore ulaka valam' yet another publication by K.S. Sivakumaran on global cinema industry consists of selected movies with its settings and history compiled in a very professional manner.

In the backdrop of the author's vast experience as a film critique, the information contained in the publication is rare and worthy. The book in Tamil explained with a literary footing adds extra significance to the time taken by the readers.

There is a wide description of selected directors on selected movies in different languages. Girish Kasuravalle's film in Karnataka cinema, G. Aravindan's films in Malayala cinema, Bikram Aingh'a films in Hindi cinema, Poomani's in Tamil, Premaratne's in Sinhala cinema and James Cammaron's films in English cinema are a few to mention. A brief and precise narration is presented on almost all the films referred to, and directors' and producers' direct experience in making these films. The literary touch of the language is a treat to the readers.

By way of analyzing foreign films the writer has given detailed information on how well the trend of the world cinema has progressed.

Apart from giving an account of a variety of films, stories and direction involving the competence of the directors, the author refers to a number of film artistes whom he encountered at several film festivals.

This understanding and experience of his is appropriately put into words to last long and be of useful to the future generation.

One of the two reasons defined by the author for publishing this book is the increasing focus being made on the cinema industry.

As discussions are being mooted to include a subject on cinema as a part of mass communication in the school curriculum in order to instil in the students' mind an elementary knowledge in cinema, this publication becomes timely.

In university level too there needs to be a certain basic knowledge on the cinema industry for the students. However there are a few number of books to assist these students and others on this subjects.

The second reason the author attributes the book to, is to emphasize the application of literature in his writing. The fact that the author is a well-versed literature critique deserves mention here.

Tamil literature has a rich and long literary tradition spanning more than two thousand years. With the growth of literacy, Tamil prose began to blossom and mature.

Short stories and novels began to appear. The popularity of Tamil cinema also provided opportunities for modern Tamil poets to emerge.

The author as a longstanding contributor to the Tamil literature from Sri Lanka supplements to uplift the standards of writing through his remarkable handling of the language.

- Shyamala Devi Karunakharan