Media can revolutionize world - Minister Yapa
Ridma Dissanayake
"The media plays a vital role in forming world opinion. It has the
ability to create revolutionary changes in the world.
"A good bond exists between the media and the public and their
relationship is inseparable, Acting Media Minister Lakshman Yapa
Abeywardena said.
He said mass media is a powerful instrument which can lead the world
on the correct path as well to its destruction.
Minister Yapa was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the
'Digital capacity and new media opportunity in the Cyber culture'
training programme at the Media Development Centre yesterday with the
participation of a university students and media personnel.
"There is a vast advancement in the media field today, ranging from
sign language to SMS," the minister added.
He said the media had made a great change in society and has become
the chief catalyst determining global events and influencing the mindset
of society.
This is the first training programme at the new media development
centre. The four day workshop will discuss about the modern world
including digitalisation and globalisation. Information Department
Director General Prof Ariyaratne Atugala citing an example said we
observed the conduct of the international media during the United
Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva.
"They tried to name Sri Lanka as a human rights violator. They have
tried to colonise us mentally rather than physically. They solely used
the media in that effort," he said.
"In the past it was religion that formed the basis of the country's
culture. But, today a culture has also been built by the media. Because
of that it has a great place in society. A weak media culture cannot
build a strong society. In such a situation, development in the media is
more important," Prof Atugala said. Dr Sampath Amaratunga and journalist
Edwin Ariyadasa participated as lecturers in this training programme. |