Cartoon dialogues under probe

Asela Kuruluwansa

Mass Media and Communication Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday special attention will be focused on certain dialogues used when television cartoon programs are being dubbed into Sinhala, which the Minister noted was of a substandard quality.

He stressed that TV commercials, tele dramas and other programs that pervert the minds of the young should be banned adding that if this continues the harm it could do to young minds would be more damaging than the drug business that is now widespread near schools.

The Minister was speaking as the chief guest at the Media Day of the Maha Maya Girls’ School, Kandy held at the School auditorium. The Minister said “It is our duty to draw up policies to further improve the quality of the media.

Today thanks to the media we are able to view any upheaval, tragedy, celebration, disaster or revolution from any corner of the world.

It is due to the skill of media personnel that such events create an impression in the minds of the people.

Today the media has come to the forefront as a key player in the formation of public opinion. However the Minister said he still cannot make an assessment on what makes a good mediaman and what calibre he or she should possess to make the grade. Especially in this country it is difficult to gauge what qualification or background one should possess to be a competent mediaman.

“Just like politicians don’t need any specific qualification this may also apply to the media. Therefore, forming Media Associations at school level may assist in the efforts to give a professional outlook to the subject of media in the future such as the medical engineering and law professions.”