Derana gets warning from Media Secretary

TV Derana has been notified in writing by the Secretary to the Ministry of Parliamentary Reform and Mass Media, Mr Nimal Bopage, to make representation within seven days with regard to allegedly distorting and broadcasting a speech made by President Maithripala Sirisena. 

In the letter, the Secretary warns that the media organisation should make representation before further action is pursued against TV Derana. 

The Secretary’s warning to TV Derana comes in the backdrop of an extensive clarification sent to Mr Bopage in writing that the content of the President’s speech was not harmed in any way by the news report.

Accusing the TV channel of editing and broadcasting the President’s speech, made during an event at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on October 12, in a manner that its meaning was distorted, the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media on October 25 notified the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TV Derana that an inquiry has been launched into the matter. 

However, in response to this the CEO of TV Derana sent a letter to the Media Ministry Secretary on October 26 clarifying that the company’s management as a policy does not interfere with the news editing process, which is carried out by the News Editors under supervision of the News Director. 

The letter also points out that during the editing process the President’s speech was not intentionally changed in a manner that would distort its meaning and that the channel’s journalists did not attempt to inconvenience the President through that.

It also emphasized that there was no differences in the meaning when comparing the paragraph in question, as contianed in the press release issued by the President’s Media Division on the day of the speech and the Ada Derana news report broadcasted. 

The fifth paragraph of the PMD statement quoted the President as saying the following: 

“President Sirisena said that it was not his policy to telephone the courts, interfere with independent commissions or get the release of those who are accused of criminal acts, robbery or rape. “I have become the President to protect democracy and fulfill my obligations for the people of the country,” he said.”

In addition to reporting the President’s speech on October 12, Ada Derana also reported the clarification made by the Co-cabinet Spokesman Dr Rajitha Senaratne on October 19, regarding the President’s speech.

Ada Derana also telecasted the speech made by President Maithripala Sirisena on October 27 at the BMICH, in which he explained his previous statement, and thereby affirmed the norms of transparency in media. 

Under this backdrop, the CEO of Derana received a letter from the Secretary to the Ministry of Parliamentary Reform and Mass Media Nimal Bopage, via a messenger at around 4.00pm yesterday (Nov. 17), stating that an investigation was carried out on the matter.

The letter also informs that TV Derana should make representation if any before further action is pursued with regard to allegedly distorting the President’s speech, within 7 days of the date on the letter.  

Despite the letter signed by the Secretary of Media Ministry being dated November 11, it was only handed over to TV Derana last evening, which is six days later. Due to this, the CEO of TV Derana notified the Media Secretary - via fax and a letter- that the company is prepared to make representation within 7 days of receiving his letter.

Ada Derana firmly believes that such pressure from individuals such as the Secretary to the Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Ministry Nimal Bopage, by straying from the vision of the incumbent government which pledged to safeguard media freedom in the country, is a violent attack on free media.