http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080731_04
Last modified on: 7/31/2008 8:05:37 AM 'Crocodiles in a tea-cup' -The FMM lambast fearing exposure (By: Noor Nizam) The news item in the Lanka Dissent dated Wednesday 30th., July regarding the discontent of the Free Media Movement over remarks by Army Chief, datelined, Wednesday 30th., July 2008.[ The Lanka Dissent, Colombo ], is of serious importance when a so-called Media group supposed to be consisting of journalist pointing the fingers at the Commander of the Sri Lankan Army with the grave allegations. Since the Defense Ministry or the Government of HE. Mahinda Rajapaksa has not given any thought to what the Army Chief, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka has stated in recent interviews with the press about journalists and the citizens have no time for the rattles created by the FMM, the FMM says it believes that it would be the responsibility of the Government to make it's position clear - clear on the statements made by the Army Chief to the Sunday Observer published on 20th July 2008, and Sinhala language weekly Lakbima. Among the other things, what worries the FMM most is the statement attributed to the Army Chief where it is stated that the Army chief said: "We know that journalists are being bribed, given 'drinks', treated in restaurants and they have their own vested interests.. . We know very well about those media people who take bribes, write and voice their opinion for some personal gains. These so called media guys are not responsible to the people and they are not entitled to such media freedom. So, especially the media people should behave well and set an example to others. To me, those who stage protests with unshaven beards, long hairs and wearing costumes like in fancy dress competitions are not scribes who are clamoring for media freedom but a gang of thugs". Notwithstanding the fact that I am not domiciled in Sri Lankan at current, my association with the Sri Lanka Press and journalism can be traced back since 1964, both in respect of Freedom of Press advocacy against the Press Bill of the late Hon. Sirimavo R. Bandaranaike influenced by the late Dr. N.M.,Perera of the LSSP and my direct involvement in true journalism with Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd., in around 1966. Some of my mentors were the giants of the like of late Mr. Esmond Wickemasighe, late Mr. Lal Gooneratne and the late Hon. Ananda Tissa de Alwis. The deep respect and passion for true Journalism has today made it possible for me to develop my abilities as a writer and now a teacher of Communication Studies in a leading University in Canada. It is with this longstanding relationship with the press, media and journalists that I feel it is the right time to stand up as a native of Sri Lankan and support the truth of facts about the profession of journalism and the "way of life" of the so-called journalist in Sri Lanka, still giving respect to the good creed of journalist who still are in the arena, but not shouting loud, doing there profession with good ethics and morals of the profession. What the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka has stated (which is quoted above) is the truth and nothing but the truth. I wish not to indulge in making any comments about the present military actions or in it's engagement by the Chief of the Army, but one has to stand to defend the truth and the army chief has told the sincere truth that is not common news to the ordinary citizens of Sri Lanka. "We know very well about those media people who take bribes, write and voice their opinion for some personal gains." "These so called media guys are not responsible to the people and they are not entitled to such media freedom". If the FMM can prove that the Chief of the Army is making false statements, let the FMM open up it's coffers and show from where it receives funding to undertake all their Freedom of Press/Media advocacy protests and the big media member's bashes arranged by interested parties such as that the Army Chief has mentioned in his interviews. The FMM should also show the number of foreign trips that have been arranged for the category of media personnel and also give a list of the names and countries visited by journalist since the FMM was founded in 1991 and convened in 2000. Prior to 1991, the press scribes were tolerated by the diplomatic missions with similar give-outs if a particular foreign diplomatic representative needed to publish some articles/news about the ideology or betterment of "public image promotion" in Sri Lanka of their country of origin. Some of the East European countries, the then GDR, Iraq, Norway, Cuba , North Korea, Taiwan, China, India, West Germany and France - to name some, offered free trips to individuals and groups of journalist to visit their countries by invitation and all expenses met by the host nation. They were not influenced to create "protests" or write "false news" against the State of Sri Lankan or against the Government or make accusations against senior government officials or elected representatives of the people, but to promote the PR aspect of their nations. Yet the modern day funding of the journalist as stated by the Army Commander is contradictory to the above. It is not the sovereign states that sponsor these journalists or give them gifts etc., or entertain them, but it is done by suspected INGO's, NGO's, International Funding Agencies and even individual diplomats, the like of those who work in certain foreign Scandinavian embassies in Sri Lanka. They call themselves the saviors of the Freedom of Press, HR and Freedom of Expression, but indeed they are the betrayers of the Sovereign state of Sri Lanka who want to divide the Sinhalese, Tamils and the Muslims of Sri Lankan who have lived in Peace and harmony for generations. The warning that the Army Chief has stated should be an eye opener to the Nation at large and especially to the journalists in common. The FMM accusing the Army Chief further will be like opening the "Pandora's box" of the evils of journalists. (The writer is a renowned Sri Lankan Peace activist and a teaching professional in 'Communication Studies' in Canada. He has also been a freelance journalist for decades especially in political and conflict writing.)
