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Viewing cable 06COLOMBO374, EU Election Observation Media Analysis

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06COLOMBO374 2006-03-08 10:32 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Colombo
VZCZCXRO1867
PP RUEHBI RUEHCI
DE RUEHLM #0374 0671032
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081032Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2799
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9369
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 6439
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 0145
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 4380
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5894
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 3930
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 1992
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2877
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000374 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR S/ES, INR/MR, PA 
SCA/INS (CAMP, SIM, GOWER) SCA/PD (SCENSNY, ROGERS, 
PALLADINO); SCA/PAS 
RHMFISS/CDR SOUTHCOM MIAMI FL 
 
SENSITIVE SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KPAO EAID OIIP PREL CE
SUBJECT:  EU Election Observation Media Analysis 
 
1.(U)  The European Union's Election Observation Mission 
Chief John Cushnahan hosted a press conference today in 
which he released the mission's long-awaited report on the 
November 17, 2005 Sri Lankan Presidential Election. 
Political conclusions of the report will follow in septel. 
Herewith are excerpts from the report's analysis of the Sri 
Lankan media's coverage of the elections: 
 
"Taken as a whole, the media offered the electorate a 
diverse range of political opinions that enabled voters to 
compare parties and candidates.  The state television and 
radio allotted all candidates free broadcasting time thus 
allowing them to present their platforms to the electorate. 
 
Both private and state media were strongly polarized along 
party lines and were strongly supportive either of the Prime 
Minister (Mahinda Rajapaksa), or the main opposition 
candidate (Ranil Wickremesinghe).  While in this election it 
provided some measure of balance, it happened more by 
accident than by design.  This is an unsatisfactory 
situation. 
 
One of the biggest issues in the campaign was the 
impartiality and fairness of the media coverage of the 
elections.  In a context of strong polarization between two 
main contesting forces, the state media were widely viewed 
as being supportive of the Prime Minister.  Conversely, the 
private media were widely viewed as being supportive of the 
UNP candidate.  The findings from the monitoring activity 
clearly confirm this pattern. 
 
State media did not fulfill their duty to provide balanced 
and impartial reporting in their election related coverage 
either in their news bulletins and current affairs coverage, 
or in their informative programs. 
 
With regards to news and information programs, the state 
owned television channels (Rupavahini and ITN) dedicated 
almost 66% of the election coverage given to candidates to 
Rajapaksa, while only 33% to Wickremesinghe.  The same 
pattern was observed for the 2004 Parliamentary Elections. 
Last year's data were respectively 68% for the UPFA and 22% 
for the UNP.  In addition, coverage provided to Rajapaksa 
was generally very positive while a significant portion of 
the time devoted to Ranil Wickremesinghe was negative. 
 
Conversely, Swarnavahini, the private TV channel monitored, 
dedicated 66% of its election coverage to Ranil 
Wickremesinghe and 33% to the UPFA candidate.  This 
difference is further accentuated if the time that the 
candidates actually speak on air is considered. 
 
Private monitored dailies showed a similar but less 
accentuated pattern.  Ranil Wickremesinghe received 45% of 
total space in the Daily Mirror (mainly positive coverage), 
and 62% in Virakesari.  Mahinda Rajapaksa has 54% of the 
space in the Daily Mirror (mainly negative coverage) and 36% 
in Virakesari.  More balanced coverage was provided by the 
Island, which dedicated 53% of the election coverage given 
to candidates to Ranil Wickremesinghe, and 41% to Rajapaksa. 
 
Taken as a whole, the private print media devoted 54% of 
their space to Ranil Wickremesinghe and 43% to Rajapaksa, 
the latter receiving more negative coverage." 
 
ΒΆ2. (SBU) Comment:  Post concurs with the general conclusions 
of the EU's report concerning media coverage.  The report 
reinforces the general perception that Sri Lanka's media are 
politically biased, unprofessional, and in need of 
substantial training.  End Comment. 
 
LUNSTEAD