A Preface To Post January 08th Media In SL

By Kusal Perera -April 4, 2015

Kusal Perara

“Any change in the media there (in Sri Lanka) after January 08 ?” asked the head of a renowned and respected media training institute across the Palk Straits, a few days ago. I guess my answer to his pointed question except for details in this here, was no different to this.

There are two sides to this single question. First is to know if the new government is into controlling media by some means to it’s advantage, to which the general answer would be “No”. The next is to know if the media on its own acts more independent now and a quick answer to that would be “Yes”. Where does that leave the media different to what it was pre January 08, is my question thereafter.

To answer that, one would need to carefully journey through pre war time rule under the Rajapaksas to date. Let’s begin by accepting the fact that here in Sri Lanka as in India and in most other democratic countries, to own a media institute, print or electronic (that’s FM radio and TV), provides the owner/investor much leveraging space with political power. Especially the electronic media that can influence political thinking in ordinary minds, compels the owner/investor to first make political affiliations with influential leaders in the government to have broadcasting or telecasting license, renewable yearly. That was the status when Rajapaksa first came to power in 2005 November and the dynamics remain the same to date.

The media on a matrix

In terms of ownership, by now there are 36 FM radio stations in operation outside State ownership, owned by about 16 private companies. Some of these radio broadcasting companies are subsidiaries of TV telecasting companies or a company that has both radio and TV operations. Some companies operate channels in all 03 languages and have all island reach. The State owns 03 corporations that have 09 FM channels in all three languages with national coverage.

*Photo -Editors and media owners with Prime Minister – March 26, 2015

Read More