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.