- Media ethics watchdogs and anti-drug groups criticise irresponsible reporting on the crystal meth crisis in schools
Recent media reports on the alleged increased use of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as “ice”) among schoolchildren have come as a shock to many. In a context where Sri Lanka had not recognised ice as a drug that poses a considerable threat to schoolchildren or adolescents, Sri Lanka is now discussing whether more attention needs to be paid to saving schoolchildren from this drug, which has proven to be extremely harmful.
These media reports, some of which presented unbelievably disturbing information in interviews with alleged ice users, were seen by some as a necessary service to reveal a social ill that had gone unnoticed. However, in a context where little to no other credible sources have corroborated such an increase in the use of ice among schoolchildren, these media reports have now come under public criticism.
Responsible media use
The responsible use of the media is a matter that should receive significant attention in this matter, and the fact that media institutions seem to have disregarded that aspect of their reporting is an extremely concerning situation, according to media organisations. They are of the opinion that irresponsible media use, aimed especially at gaining more of an audience, is unacceptable.
Speaking to The Morning, Free Media Movement (FMM) Convenor Lasantha De Silva noted that although a concept called “media freedom” has not been defined specifically and media institutions should have the Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of publication and expression within the relevant limits, media institutions cannot ignore being responsible.
“It is the duty of all media institutions to report in a socially responsible manner, as it shows professionalism and the quality of adhering to ethics applicable to the media. At present, when looking at media reports on ice and other drugs, what we can observe right off the bat is that certain media reports are going beyond proper statistics or data, and reports seem to have been exaggerated. Certain television channels, especially, are neglecting qualities such as newsworthiness and the relevance of their reports, and are trying to dramatise these reports.”
In this context, De Silva noted that certain media reports on the use of ice among schoolchildren raise doubts about their credibility, balanced nature, and accuracy, and seem to lack the quality of being based on the relevant data. De Silva expressed concerns that certain media institutions have started mentioning the prices of drugs as well as the quantity of drugs the interviewees use, and pointed out that there are considerable discrepancies between the prices mentioned by different media institutions. He opined that any intelligent citizen would be able to observe this behaviour in traditional media such as television channels, radio channels, and newspapers.
“We can see that the use of social media platforms is ahead of the use of traditional media as far as responsible reporting is concerned when it comes to media reports on these sorts of sensitive matters. Digital media platforms, including social media platforms, are one of the threats to traditional media; however, that is in a context where traditional media is working outside its responsibility in reporting.”
Meanwhile, similar sentiments were conveyed by Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association President Duminda Sampath who told The Morning that owing to competition between certain media institutions, they, at times, report on such stories in a manner that encourages even those who were ignorant of ice to research it. This, he stressed, is a damaging situation to general society.
Ethical guidelines for electronic media
The importance of media institutions adhering to a set of ethical guidelines when reporting on matters that are sensitive and could have an adverse impact on society was highlighted by all media organisations. Expressing concerns about the majority of electronic media institutions in Sri Lanka not having a code of ethics unlike print media institutions, they pointed out the importance of introducing such ethical guidelines for electronic media.
In this regard, Sampath opined that despite the fact that electronic media outlets do not possess a formal code of ethics at present, media personnel working in that sector should adhere to minimum general media guidelines concerning ethical reporting.
He also noted that in a context where media personnel working in electronic media often receive training which covers aspects of ethical reporting, their non-adherence to such ethics, therefore, is puzzling.
“Electronic media has been commercialised to the maximum. They are trying to provide news first before other media institutions and report what the people want to hear, disregarding the harm it could potentially cause,” Sampath emphasised, adding that a discourse on responsible, ethical reporting should be initiated among media institutions.
One of the reasons formulating a code of ethics for electronic media is important, according to De Silva, is because the channel frequencies used by electronic media are public property, for which electronic media outlets have to be responsible. He added that only a handful of electronic media outlets maintain a code of ethics and that it is unacceptable.
“The newspaper industry (print media) is a business and they spend their own money. However, the channel frequencies used by electronic media institutions in Sri Lanka are not owned by those institutions. Those channel frequencies are used based on a permit obtained from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and are public property.
“The Supreme Court (SC) has, on two occasions, emphasised this. One occasion is the case of Wimal Fernando vs. The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and Others, and the other is the case of Uvindu Kurukulasuriya and Jayasiri Jayasekara vs. The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and Others. In both these cases, the SC verdicts clearly mentioned that channel frequencies are public property.”
He opined that even with permits that have been obtained through payment, electronic media that use this public property must act responsibly, which, he added, requires electronic media institutions too to possess a code of ethics. In addition, De Silva said that while he does not advocate for the establishment of an authority to ensure ethical reporting by the electronic media or the controlling of the sector as per Government regulations, broadcasters, at the very least, should formulate a code of ethics for self-regulation. The failure to do so, he opined, would cause massive damage to the country and society.
Meanwhile, with regard to print media, Sri Lanka Press Council (SLPC) Commissioner Niroshana Thambavita told The Morning that print media has a code of ethics, which he said is being used to ensure ethical reporting. He explained how print media is being monitored in accordance with the said code of ethics, even with regard to reports that pertain to the use of ice among schoolchildren. Section 2 of the SLPC Law, No. 5 of 1973 says that every journalist should refrain from publishing or causing to be published any matter that may offend public taste or morality or tend to lower the standards of public taste or morality.
“When it comes to reporting on sensitive matters, we have seen how countries with a developed media culture allocate much space to discuss the impacts of such issues in addition to the main media report on the sensitive matter. For example, if a person with depression dies by suicide, media institutions of those countries allocate more space to discuss doctors’ opinions, publish various research data pertaining to the incident, and also create a social discourse that such incidents should be prevented.”
Alleged conspiracies and ulterior motives behind media reports
Moreover, certain media organisations expressed doubts as to whether there are ulterior motives such as political objectives, to be precise, behind increased media reports on drug use among schoolchildren. Their main argument was that in a context where there is no tangible evidence corroborated by credible authorities to suggest an increase in drug use among schoolchildren, media reports that suggest such an increase could even be a conspiracy.
In this regard, Sampath said: “We have doubts regarding whether this sudden wave of media reports is a pretence and whether this issue of increased drug use among schoolchildren is as prevalent as the media reports make it out to be. Why are media institutions limited to discussing only eradication or addressing the spread of drugs, but not how drugs enter the country when the latter is what they should do first. The media’s responsibility involves revealing how drugs enter the country.”
He opined that there is no bigger harm than publicising the idea that it is possible to eradicate drugs simply by searching schoolchildren’s bags. He further said that media institutions should instead focus on investigating large-scale drug racketeers and that a significant change could not be made through merely reporting on drug use. Sampath added that the media community should initiate a discussion on this responsibility.
“We have a doubt regarding why the media is resorting to such behaviour by reporting on drug use with no contribution to initiating a constructive dialogue about the same,” De Silva added, noting meanwhile that there are suspicions as to whether there are political objectives behind media reports about the matter, specifically targeting future elections.
He added: “There is no debate that we should combat drugs. However, we should find the sources of drugs, determine whether politicians or businessmen are involved and whether legal protection is being provided to drug rackets. It seems like certain media institutions have taken up a whole different job that goes beyond reporting news. Citizens should try to comprehend the hidden agendas of certain media reports.”
What is more, recent reports on increased drug use among schoolchildren could also be a plot to weaken the ongoing anti-drug programmes or to unnecessarily promote drugs.
Speaking to The Morning, Alcohol and Drug Information Centre Director – Human Resources and Administration Sampath de Seram pointed out that no tangible evidence has emerged to suggest increased ice usage among schoolchildren.
“When it comes to ice, no one is in possession of scientific information regarding how much of that drug is being used or how schoolchildren are using it. A few isolated incidents have been exaggerated and are being reported by the media, and that is what we are seeing, which is a usual trend that emerges from time to time.”
Adding that the use of cigarettes in the country has declined considerably, de Seram opined that there could be hidden agendas behind the media reports aimed at changing the direction of the ongoing programmes to combat the use of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.
“When we look at these media reports, it seems as though the message is that tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and beer, are not pressing issues, but ice is, regarding which something has to be done. With no scientific basis or proper understanding of the matter, various parties are attempting to dictate what should be done regarding this situation, and this drug (ice) is being promoted,” he said.
“It is not as serious as being claimed, even though there is definitely an issue. We have doubts as to whether there is a certain business behind this to dilute and change the ongoing anti-drug programmes and change the mindset of the policymakers. According to the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, they are yet to receive a sample that could be tested to suggest such drug use,” he explained, adding that these media reports show signs of a conspiracy aimed at changing the direction of ongoing programmes to combat the use of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.
De Seram further noted that due to over-reporting, especially with no adequate proof or studies, the media has assigned ice a huge value that it does not have. With regard to how the matter is viewed and reported by media institutions, he opined that it is obvious that media ethics are being violated in the manner in which the media is reporting it.
Meanwhile, speaking to The Morning on the condition of anonymity, a small-time drug dealer claimed that despite media reports, there is no considerable increase in ice use among teenagers including schoolchildren and that the reasons behind media institutions increasingly publishing such news remain suspicious.
“Drug use among schoolchildren, majorly among those in Ordinary Level and Advanced Level classes, is not new. However, it is in very rare cases that schoolchildren tend to use drugs that could be considered hard drugs, such as heroin and ice. On the one hand, they do not have the money required to cultivate such habits, and on the other hand, they cannot engage in it without being noticed. Only a handful of children are addicted to such hard drugs, and drugs such as cannabis and ‘babul’ are what is prevalent among schoolchildren and should receive attention.”
Creating a constructive discourse
In this context, it is crucial to create a constructive dialogue about the prevalence and use of drugs, and media institutions play an important role in it. Stressing this point, Thambavita said that the manner in which certain media institutions report incidents pertaining to drugs does not contribute to creating the much-needed socially progressive opinion. More than reporting such incidents as mere news items, he added that the creation of a social discourse should receive more attention.
While it is acceptable to publish such reports as news items, it is important to allocate more space to educating the public regarding the related impacts of drug use.
Regarding the same, Sampath added: “We have to understand what the media is. We have the media to provide a service to the public. Therefore, we should publish news items in a manner that serves the people and refrain from reporting in a manner that harms them. This is a serious situation that is observable in the media sector which is not limited to ice and is prevalent when reporting on crimes too.”
In this context, he opined that when information about drugs comes to light, media personnel and media institution owners should initiate an internal discourse to determine how such information should be reported, which does not seem to be taking place.