Comments on: Frederica Jansz Fired From The Leader

By: tastyjujubes

tastyjujubes — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:13:12 +0000

Buh bye! So long!

Editor seeks political refuge abroad

THE Sri Lankan newspaper editor told by a government official she would be killed – but who was denied protection in Australia – has fled Colombo for political asylum in another country.

http://www.watoday.com.au/world/editor-seeks-political-refuge-abroad-20121109-293ej.html

By: tastyjujubes

tastyjujubes — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 20:01:41 +0000

How desperate is this woman?

Australia denies asylum for threatened Sri Lanka editor

THE sacked editor of an anti-government newspaper in Sri Lanka said Friday that her political asylum claim had been rejected by Australia despite threats to her life at home.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/australia-denies-asylum-for-threatened-sri-lanka-editor/story-e6frf7k6-1226489569423

By: Mohottige

Mohottige — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 17:41:18 +0000

Indica, like many Sri Lankans you seem to have lost moral and ethic direction, and on the way your backbone to openly defend whats right, instead bowing for the corrupt and undemocratic, dictatorial rulers of the country. I don’t like or have any respect for people who don’t dare to take the truth in their hands (or write it), but keep silent on the malpractises, only to talk or write light-weighted rubbish instead. As a Buddhist I think that is despicable. That is why I have stopped reading you blogg long ago, except for this time googling for articles about the takeover of Sunday Leader. No regretts from your side at all about Goverment (and Sajin Vaas Gunawardena) connected new owner and the loss of a critical voice. This was a scenario Article 19 saw alreday in april this year and warned UN about. For a corrupt regime with no tolerance for free speech or ideas, this scenario was exspected. When it couldn’t stop critical voices by killing journalist or making them disappear, it tried attacking and burning their offices. Later introducing conditioned registering of web sites (and unfounded police raids on some). Evidently they have now gone to the extent of buying up dissenting voices through their cronies and silence them that way. And writers like you just keep silence on the matter…Disgusting! How much have they paid you?

By: Faz

Faz — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 17:57:02 +0000

Good riddance of bad rubbish. Very rarely did the paper carry anything worthwhile under this women. Even when they did, as a reader, I didn’t know how much to believe. She was a lame excuse for a journalist.

@tastyjubes: well said.

By: l de silva

l de silva — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 16:37:28 +0000

@ tastyjujubes, concur. Rightly summed up!

By: Jack Point

Jack Point — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 12:32:29 +0000

Well things are looking up. I must say. The second editor sacked from a paper in the last three months.

She was sacked as opposed to being killed or abducted. Quite an improvement I would say…

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 08:16:35 +0000

tastyjujubes… you have ‘hit the nail on the head’ with your comment. Excellent!

By: tastyjujubes

tastyjujubes — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 06:38:28 +0000

A smug, self-satisfied smile appeared on my face when I read of Frederica Jansz’s dismissal from the Sunday Leader.

I’m only being honest here. And I do not think it would be an exaggeration to say that many other Sri Lankans would have felt the same way.

The newspaper is a sad excuse for journalism.

Lionised by media rights groups (including international ones), and paraded as the epitome of journalistic brilliance by sycophants, the paper has long been only suitable for wiping one’s posterior after passing a bowel motion, and even then I think very many buttocks would be offended. It’s rise to eminence in political life kin the island was not wrought from decency and journalistic acumen, but rather from controversy and the ability to drag individuals and communities through the mud in the most unethical and unbecoming of fashions.

These may sound like harsh comments, but the way the the newspaper has carried itself over the years under the direction of Lasantha Wickrematunga, and then his protege Frederica Jansz has been absolutely appalling. The duo used the newspaper as their personal property, abusing their power as editors to carry out personal vendettas against anyone they deemed to have crossed them. Both spoke of being “hounded” yet both had no compunction in hounding others. They spoke of being “unbowed and unafraid” yet were willing to sell their newspaper to the highest bidder, even openly throwing support behind certain political candidates. They spoke of “democracy” but were more than happy to debase, degrade and fire people who held differing opinions.

At the heart of the matter are small and deformed characters, poisoned with the bile of hatred and malice. They speak as if they are angels with hearts of gold and a moral compass far superior to the ordinary citizen, but any calm reflection of the facts will reveal them to be rather demoniacal in nature with a talent for making capital out of everything that turns up, to be invested not for the sake of the public, but for their own special praise and glory.

On this occasion, there is no need for Sri Lankans to assume an air of doleful gravity and stand with the corners of our mouths lowered in the most penitential style. In stories told to us as children the bad guys eventually receive their comeuppance. Likewise, Frederica’s sacking represents that moment when the just desserts for years of bad behaviour finally catch up with her.