Gayantha concerned about animosity among some journalists

The Island‎‎: Sri Lanka: Monday, August 15, 2016.

Parliamentary reforms and media minister Gayantha Karunatilleke speaks to his deputy Karunaratne Paranavithana at the commencement of a workshop for Galle District journalists in Galle over the weekend. (L-R) Irida Lankadeepa editor Ariyaratne Dombagahawatte, Gamini Sumanasekera of the presidential staff, media ministry secretary Nimal Bopage, Deputy Minister Paranavithana and Chairman of Sri Lanka Press Council attorney-at-law Koggala Wellala. (Pic courtesy media ministry)

Parliamentary reforms and media minister Gayantha Karunatilleke has alleged that media had been severely affected due to animosity among various journalists and media organizations.

Minister Karunatilleke said that he had the experience of the despicable conduct of some journalists when he accompanied a media group to Jaffna recently. The minister was addressing a seminar held over the weekend in Galle to brief journalists based in the Galle district on the recently introduced Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Comparing the conduct of some journalists who went with him, Minister Karunatilleke stressed that he believed in having good relations with all even those on the opposition side.

Assuring that the government would try to do everything possible to improve the living and professional standards of journalists, Minister Karunatilleke alleged that some people interpreted government efforts in various ways. Accusing the previous government of imposing restrictions on the media, Minister Karunatilleke said that today media enjoyed freedom. He assured that whatever the interpretations in respect government-media relations given by various interested parties; the government was committed to improving the welfare of journalists.

Taking credit for enacting RTI which he described as the seventh best law in the world, Karunatilleke said that electronic media were also seeking regulatory mechanism. The government was exploring ways and means of obtaining foreign assistance to set up a media training academy, he said.

The minister said that media standards needed to be improved. The Galle District MP said that a section of the print media had recently published a wholly distorted report on the basis of a statement made by him at a post-Cabinet media briefing. Acknowledging the right of the media to propagate opinion, Minister Karunatilleke stressed that they should be mindful of the impact of thier reports on the public.

The minister urged the media not to promote political agendas at the expense of their professional integrity.

Karunatilleke revealed that he had reached an understanding with Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa on construction of 25 houses for journalists in each district. The minister said that the Galle District housing scheme for journalists would be set up close to Galle town or in the Akmeemana electorate. (SF)