Britain has no control over media

29 July 2011 11:53 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 35 Bookmark

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In response to a claim by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa that the British Government should take action against Channel-4 for airing what he describes as ‘an irresponsible video’, the British High Commission in Colombo said yesterday the British government did not exercise control over media contents.

“Channel-4 is an independent television broadcaster. Britain believes that a free media is a vital part in every democratic country, Britain has a robust mechanism for ensuring that media organisations, maintain appropriate ethical and legal standards, but the government doesn’t exercise control over media contents,” British High Commission spokesman told Daily Mirror.

He said British mechanism in regulating the media include an independent regulator; the telecommunication (Ofcom), and an independent Press Complaints Commission and regular libel laws.

In the newest episode released by Channel-4, a witness, who had worked under the then head of Sri Lanka Army’s 58th division, Brigadier Shavendra Silva, during the end of the civil war, claimed that Brigadier was ordered by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, “to finish the job by whatever means necessary.” (SJ)