Media should mind their Ps and Qs - Kamal Waleboda
Uvindu Illeperuma
Mass Communication is a popular subject in schools and universities.
The subject is valid all the time. Though widely taught and hundreds
pages have been added on the subject, only a few books are published on
Media Studies which is the practical facet of communication.
At a time when media ‘methods’ sparks controversy Colombo University
senior lecturer, Journalist Department head and former radio journalist
Kamal Waleboda launched several books on Radio and its utility in the
modern days.
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Kamal Waleboda |
Though he had mainly focused on radio and communication, Waleboda had
also penned several volumes on religion and translations. Significantly
he launched 17 books together at a recent event.
The versatile scholar who has dedicated his career to educating
people on media conduct, what basis they should welcome them and their
contribution to take the subject to a accurate track exchanged views
with the Daily News. Following are excerpts from the interview.
Q: Why did you launch 17 books at one
go?
A: Launching 17 books was
not that extensive because some of these books were written 10 years
ago. They were given finishing touches some years back. There were other
reasons why it was delayed. The number increased according to those
reasons.
Q: You have focused mainly on the
radio. Why is that?
A: I am a radio
journalist. My first hand experience is linked with the radio.
I have been to other countries including South Asia, Europe and
America to visit radio stations. I compared and contrasted the
conditions available in Sri Lanka in relation to other countries.
We had no access to print media during childhood because I lived in
the interior parts of the country. I hail from Waleboda. At times we
read Silumina but the radio was readily available at home. I was
immensely influenced by radio programs such as Handa Mama.
Q: Did you include novel ideas on how
to update the techniques behind the radio scene?
A: Yes. Establishing
community radio stations is one such suggestion. Some countries have
community radio stations which are a concept still alien to Sri Lanka.
However Sri Lanka has enough potential to run community radio
stations. I researched and gathered more information on the matter
considering the potentiality of community radio stations being
established in Sri Lanka.
I wrote a book on community radio based on these facts. The plan was
to establish 12 community radio stations in the country but only three
were incepted. The Mahaweli Radio prototype is one of the most
applicable and prominent radio models. If that model can be implemented
we can withstand the challenges posed by globalization.
I introduced a Sinhala-English communication dictionary for school
children. The book written on radio drama discusses the history of the
subject, its evolution and the prevalent situation. It includes recent
data.
Q : Why is Mass Communication so
important as a subject in School level and University level?
A: Human beings cannot
survive without communication. Officials of the government or private
companies need to deal with people who are in need of their service.
They need a good communication ability to fulfill customer demands.
Without this the whole system will collapse. The subject aims to
inculcate communication skills within the students and prepare them for
greater challenges ahead.
Q: There are instances when those who
graduated in Mass Communication take to teaching and take up professions
like clerks etc. Comment.
A: That is not correct.
People believe that those who do communication should end up as
journalists. This is highly absurd. Our goal is not to absorb all the
students to the media sector. There should be critical listeners and
readers. We want to create such a section in the society.
Teachers need good communication skills to interact with students. A
teacher who had done communication as a subject would understand the
mindset of the students. Clerks who possess communication knowledge can
serve the state in an effective manner.
Q: Some of your books focus on
religion and its means of communication. Why did you focus on Buddhism
in particular?
A: Religion is within our
souls. We are Buddhists. Our communication is based on Buddhism. This
reality drove me to pen these facts on paper. Our understanding is based
on our ability to communicate. We should value this fact.
Communication Values in Dasaraja Dharama is an in-depth analysis of
the ancient ruling system in Sri Lanka. Dhamma and Development is a
translation of a book written by Prof. Sulak Sivaraksha, a revolutionary
Buddhist thinker in Thailand.
Crime and Participatory Communication is closely associated with the
police and prison. The other books are Announcement and Communication
articles, Small Group Communication.
My book of songs will teach students on the perceptions for
imagination. The ideas are inspired from my village and childhood
experiences. I remember how I went to Sri Pada by foot. Those things
fuel my imagination.
Q: What is your opinion of the
present day media conduct?
A: It is horrible. They
don’t know what they are doing.
They misuse the language and use media freedom as an excuse. They are
engaged on a mad rat race to earn profit. We should know our cultural
roots.
The media should urge people to protect our heritage.
Now that terrorism had been eliminated, the country needs to be
developed. The media should back this development drive. They should
mind their Ps and Qs and persuade people to look towards the building up
process.
Waleboda’s books
* Agama Ha Sanwardhanaya
* Dasa Raja Dharma
* Dasa Paramitha
* Guwanviduli NatyaRachanaya
* Praja Guwanviduliya
* Viduth MadyaGrahaka Samikshana
* Sanniwedana (A dictionary on terminology of communication)
* Kuda Kandayam Saniwedanaya (Small group communication)
* Nirmana Praweshaya
* Guwanviduli Madya
* Smarani
* Nivedanaya Saha Samaja Sanniwedana Lipi
* Guwanviduli Praurthi Nivedanaya
* Aparada Saha Sahabagithwa Sanniwedanaya
* Kolaba KawyaSanhitha
* MageGama
* Guwanviduli Natya (Radio drama) |
