A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
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Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Nations
?????????????????????????????????????????????????Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Introductory Review For A. P. Mathan’s Beyond Censorship
By M. C. Rasmin –May 2, 2017
Tamil print Media is widely polarized in line with minority politics,
ethnicity and religion. With very few exceptions, it has certainly
failed to evolve as a successful enterprise too. No doubt it has an
extensive history and potential in shaping perspectives and informing
its readers. However, compared to its lengthy history, the contribution
of Tamil media to the broader development of Sri Lankan Media as a
whole, can be considered insufficient. The industry has produced
extremely capable journalists and editors. However, there is great
poverty for media scholars who could actively support the ongoing media
reform movement, in Sri Lanka.
It is in such a context, I am trying to introduce A. P. Mathan’s Tamil
publication – Tanikkai Thaharkum Thanikkai – Beyond censorship – my
translation may not best fit, a collection of 100 editorials that he
wrote between 1st of January 2016 to 20th of February 2017 for Tamil
Mirror. Each one of the hundred editorials begin with an introductory
paragraph, specifying the need and drive for the editor to choose a
theme for his writing. All the editorials are supported with cartoons
and accompanied by a brief news item.
Initially,
I wanted to write a critic on this publication. However, after
carefully reading the 100 editorials, I convinced myself not to do that,
for a worthy cause. There is no fixed formula to measure the
effectiveness of an editorial. However, it is often expected to be
unique in its vibrancy and structure. An editorial is simply an opinion
maker that leads to action. Not just opinion alone, but an analysis
built on perspectives, supported by evidences, logically constructed
arguments with a balanced and fair view on a timely concern. Editorial
would reflect the wisdom of an editor on broader issues. Media scholars
consider it as a great yardstick to measure investigative and research
skills of an editor and his/her commitment to raise voice on anything
that matters for readers. Essentially, it is the heart of a new paper,
and there has been several evidences where effective editorials are
often referred by various people to make judgment of socio-political and
economical context of a country. Having firmly articulated my
understanding of an editorial, I acknowledge that I purposely avoided
writing a critic but an introductory review. Purpose of this short
introductory review is to recognize the efforts of Mathan not only to
add value to his professional journey, but also to Tamil Media
scholarship.
It should be noted that Mathan has been instrumental in making notable
changes in layouts of traditional Tamil Media during his time at various
newspapers. The graphical nature that he brought to Tamil Mirror made
him comfortably accommodate more numbers of small news items. Keeping it
short and strong has been his passion. Mathan’s editorials reflect his
passion to keep content shorter, but also reader-friendly and easy to
understand. The publication comprises 286 pages with an introductory
remarks written by Vithyatharan, Chief Editor – Kalaikadir, which is
published daily from Jaffna.
Having read all the 100 editorials, it is observed that Mathan has given
prominence to selected number of themes such as Tamil politics and
political parties, transitional issues, reintegration of war affected
community and post war life of Northern people – specifically northern
Tamils, national security, status of good governance, Rajapaksha’s
hypocrisy politics, influence of international diplomacy on local
politics, instability of upcountry political parties in meetings people
need, etc., in his editorials.
Majority of the editorials are addressing issues around Northern
politics – struggle of TNA in fulfilling people’s aspirations and its
promises, emerging interparty conflicts within TNA, upraising of
alternative political leadership in the North, Tamil political leaders
and problems in their move and collective challenges of Tamil politics.
(Editorials 2, 3, 7, 8, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 40, 51, 56, 59,60, 83, 84,
87, 97, 98, 100). It is very explicit that Mathan is advocating for
political cohesion and a responsible political system that is
accountable and beneficial for people and not for political parties or
politicians.