Hands off the media

LEADER of the House Minister Bimal Rathnayake had some harsh words for the media on Monday in Parliament.

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“The media has set this country on fire. The media had worked to turn this country into a graveyard. The media is not so innocent,” Rathnayake charged during an exchange of strong words with the Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.

This was after Premadasa criticised the decision to summon anewspaper editor to the CID for the publication of an article related to the police clearance procedures, which the SJB leader said was heavily politicised.

This irked Rathnayake who said that even if it is the media or even a god, if they lie to the people, they must stand against it.

Media personnel are well aware that they are the darling of politicians who are in the Opposition but the moment they come to power they expect the media to be subservient and toe the Government line. Rathnayake is not the first to express such views and certainly will not be the last but maybe it’s time to refresh his memory on the role that this very media played in helping the JVP-led NPP to gain power.