Example in ‘vituperative journalism’
MP A H M Azwer yesterday expressed his shock and dismay over an
article published in a Sunday newspaper which, he claimed, sought to
defame the image of Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya
Rajapaksa.
The journalist turned politician called it a journalistic excess and
vituperative journalism and said such stories sought to hurt people at a
personal level.
The Parliamentarian said the Defence Secretary was revered by the
whole country and is one who will be remembered with gratitude by
generations to come for his service to the nation.
“I too was a journalist and respect media freedom and ethics. But
this is a journalistic excess,” the MP said when the Daily News sought
his views regarding the matter.
He also alleged the newspaper in question had a history of carrying
such stories. These are the types of stories they revel in, Azwer said.
The MP said retributive justice will follow those who sought to defame
noble people in such a manner. Meanwhile, Productivity Promotion
Minister Lakshman Senevirate said that certain private media
institutions are in the habit of twisting the truth. He pointed out that
he too had to face a similar embarrassing situation sometime back where
his words were twisted to give a completely wrong impression to the
readers on Sevanagala Sugar Company.
He, condemning an article in a Sunday newspaper which attempted to
defame Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa observed that the best thing
that one could do is to ignore such articles. He observed that the
allegations made in this article are hilarious. He added that certain
private media institutions do not care at all about media ethics. |
