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Ilankai Tamil Sangam, USA, Inc.
Association of Tamils of Sri Lanka in the USA
by Malathy Naguleswaran
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It is members of these international bodies who eventually convey the developments in Sri Lanka to the outside world. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that members of these bodies see past the three filters of fear, resources and centre-of-gravity so that the flow of information about the Northeast remains as accurate as possible. |
With increasing levels of violence in the Northeast, the interest of the international media and other Sri Lanka observers is acutely tuned to the happenings in the island. Observers of Sri Lankan affairs ought to bear in mind the various factors in action that are filtering the information that reaches them. The filters in action can be categorized into three types for ease of comprehension. They are:
Fear filter
Both sides, the GoSL and the LTTE, can apply the fear filter in the areas they control. However, the huge number of death squad killings in the GoSL-controlled parts of the Northeast should be born in mind when judging what is and what is not filtered out of the information coming from these areas. Murders of journalists and attacks on the media best exemplify how fear can be used to discourage speaking out. There are, of course, many more cases, like that of Fr Jim Brown, of those who have spoken out and then met their death or disappeared as a result. Those observing developments from outside the Northeast, as a rule, will not realize the effectiveness of this filter. Conscientious accommodation of this fear filter is essential when receiving information about the Northeast.
Resource filter
The resource availability is a crucial element determining how much information - in a format palatable to the outside world - is conveyed. To achieve effective information transfer English language, computer skills and communication facilities are crucial. That there is a huge disparity in this aspect between the two parties goes without saying. The recent blockade imposed by the GoSL on parts of the Northeast sharpens this imbalance even further. Observers of Sri Lanka must also take this imbalance into account when judging the information they receive.
Centre-of-gravity filter
All international agencies including diplomatic missions, the SLMM head office, UN agencies and the bureaus of the international news wire services are located in Colombo. Although some of these international agencies have representatives in the Northeast, they are few in numbers. The head offices in Colombo invariably have the power to over-rule their representatives in the Northeast. Thus, these bodies end up having greater contact with the GoSL than with the LTTE. In addition, journalists are often blocked from going to the location of an incident to do their own investigation. All of this creates a heavy bias towards the GoSL version of events among these bodies.
It is members of these international bodies who eventually convey the developments in Sri Lanka to the outside world. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that members of these bodies see past the three filters mentioned above so that the flow of information about the Northeast remains as accurate as possible.
Without an accurate assessment of events, the world may be surprised by what happens in Sri Lanka and/or injustices may occur at the hands of the rich, powerful and well-connected.
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