Eastern promises

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his May Day address in Dehiattakandiya, observed that a victory for the Government at the May 10 Eastern Provincial Council poll would be an ideal tribute to the heroic solders who freed the Eastern population from LTTE tyranny and encourage them to liberate the Northern masses in a similar manner.

This is indeed a correct assessment of the situation as the liberation of the Eastern province was an entirely humanitarian operation precipitated by the LTTE's closure of the Mavilaru sluice gates. Moreover, no civilian casualties were reported from the entire operation.

It was a massive victory for the Security Forces, but an even more significant one for the Eastern populace. It resulted in the implementation of the Eastern Resurgence programme under which the East is witnessing an unprecedented level of development.

The other most important aspect of the Eastern liberation is the arrival of democracy in the province after a lapse of nearly 15 years. The successful completion of the Batticaloa Local Polls on March 10 which saw the enthusiastic participation of Eastern voters augured well for democracy and pluralism in the region.

The May 10 Provincial Council Poll will be a bigger test, but judging by current trends there is every possibility that it will be just as successful. One of the most remarkable things about the election is the entry to the democratic mainstream of those who earlier believed in the bullet as opposed to the ballot. That in itself is a victory for democracy.

The consolidation of democracy in the East will sound the death knell for the LTTE which had terrorised the area for more than two decades. The LTTE is aware that the same process, if repeated in the North, would virtually spell its end. That is why it is trying to sabotage the Eastern Polls, especially to prevent a victory by the UPFA/TMVP.

But the President has reiterated the Government's determination to liberate the Northern masses as well from LTTE oppression. Several steps have already been taken in this direction by the Security Forces.

The LTTE will be truly cornered if the Government wins the hearts and minds of the Northern population too. A positive verdict on May 10 for the Government's plans for the East will add to this momentum.

Press Freedom Day

Today, journalists around the world will mark yet another Press Freedom Day. It has become one of the most important days for journalists, as it is the only day in the calendar dedicated to their profession.

Being a journalist in today's volatile environment is no easy task. Many journalists are killed every year the world over for using their pen and increasingly, their voice (radio and TV) to provide the truth to the public.

Others are intimidated or silenced. Journalists are facing more threats and taking more risks to tell the story. But the fact remains that no story is worth your life, no matter how big it is. Yet, many journalists have risked their lives and will continue to do so, in search of the truth.

In the words of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon "attacks on freedom of the press are attacks against international law, against humanity, against freedom itself - against everything the UN stands for". Such attacks undermine two time-honoured principles: The freedom of expression and the public's right to information.

There are two sides to this story as well. The freedom of expression should not be used in a callous manner to spread disinformation. There is a tendency, especially among the electronic media outlets, to be first with the news.

Unfortunately, the truth sometimes becomes a casualty of this race. This happens because hardly any verification takes place before the news goes on air. Media ethics should also be respected at all times. Sensationalism has crept into most news outlets with the result that news items which may tarnish the image of individuals and establishments are published without any regard for ethics.

This points to the need for more professional training for journalists including the vital aspect of ethics. Most of today's journalists are trained 'on the job' but it is not adequate in today's complex news environment.

News has become a 24/7 business with the advent of the Web and satellite television channels. We know everything that happens around the world almost instantly. The younger generation is also moving away from the printed word to moving images.

These have become huge challenges to newspapers as 'all the news that's fit to print' have already appeared on TV by the time the newspapers hit the stands the next day.

Thus newspapers have to go deeper into issues and innovate to keep existing readers and attract new ones. Media is a constantly evolving business and journalists, while striving for more freedom, must seek greater horizons.