The Sri Lankan media was blocked out from covering Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, with the President’s Media Division (PMD) taking full control of the coverage and failing dismally in coordinating events with local journalists.
While the Indian High Commission coordinated the Indian media personnel, an entourage of around 30, many travelling with their prime minister, the Sri Lankan media was left to its own devices, given access to cover only the ceremonial welcome at Independence Square.
At the event where the two leaders made their respective statements, only state television ‘Rupavahini’ was allowed in from the Sri Lankan media, but the entire Indian press corps was invited in.
The PMD decided to keep the coverage of a national event ‘exclusive’ to its team, with reports reaching Indian newsrooms before those in Colombo.
Sri Lankan media received the Indian High Commission news releases, including Prime Minister Modi’s speech and details of the agreements signed, and also from Prime Minister Modi’s ‘X’ handle in Sinhala, Tamil and English hours before the PMD releases reached them.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s speech was received more than five hours later.
(sundaytimes.lk)
(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)
