Karu takes on media terrorists in Parliament

Thursday, 12 December 2013 01:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Tables copies of MP-owned newspaper defaming his family and his character
Says UNP always stands for press freedom
Claims newspaper takes politicians hostage, those who break away are hounded

UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya yesterday charged that a newspaper (not of the Wijeya Group) owned by a member of Parliament was engaged in carving out targets of politicians to attack and vilify instead of carrying out its responsibilities as the free press to deal with real issues in the country including the threats to democracy and the breakdown of the rule of law. Making a speech during the committee stage debate on the budget during the vote on the Media Ministry, Jayasuriya said he and the United National Party had always stood for the freedom of the press, including in the case of this specific group of newspapers which was sealed in a previous avatar. “When we speak of the freedom of the press, it is vital also to draw the attention to the responsibilities of the media. The media should be impartial and balanced. The media is for the people. It is the duty of the media to appear for the true problems encountered by the people. Unfortunately, some media in this country, instead of fulfilling this duty are engaged in attacking in a demeaning manner, individuals who are having opposite views, destroying their credibility and honour. Under the circumstances the real issued such as threats to democracy, good governance, decline of rule of law, cost of living etc., are being neglected,” Jayasuriya charged in Parliament. He said all politicians should be able to take honest criticism. In recent times, Jayasuriya said the same newspaper had hailed him as the greatest politician. “But this newspaper has very short friendships. The owners of this newspaper have a desire to hold politicians hostage. Those who try to break away from this imprisonment are then hounded by the newspaper that has no qualms about distorting the facts to destroy characters,” Jayasuriya said. Tabling copies of the newspaper in Parliament, Jayasuriya said the newspaper had gone so far as to insult his parents and his Buddhist credentials because he took the position as Chairman of the UNP’s new leadership council. “Honourable Speaker, I act according to my conscience. When a request was made by the Buddhist priests and the Working Committee of the UNP to bring about unity within the party as expected by the large majority of the UNP, I cannot ignore this request and allow the party to deteriorate. I do not want to wait until the party splits further over mundane issues. I did my duty to put an end to the war,” he said. Jayasuriya said he had touched on malicious journalism because he had no fear, even though he knows his speech would lead to further attacks in the newspaper in question. “We cannot allow them to destroy leaders in the party and politicians with a future. We cannot give into this media terrorism. We cannot allow it to destroy the UNP. I will disclose the powers behind this newspaper and those who are supportive of it. Their aim is clear,” Jayasuriya said. Jayasuriya said he had reliable information that there was a threat to his life. “I am not afraid to die for truth and justice. I wish to remind these gentlemen that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others. Nature will one day punish these injustices. This truth is called retribution,” he charged.