by Sarah J Palmer

Created on: October 29, 2008

The civil war in Sri Lanka is based on one part of the population wanting independence from the other. It's a popular scenario repeated across the world and features in both British and American history.

During British and American civil wars the parties involved relied on word-of-mouth, Pony Express and maybe the occasional newspaper or telegram to relay news. They didn't have television, radio, satellite phones, email or the internet to broadcast the latest opinion poll, live scenes from the action zone or heroes' horizontal homecoming.

It is questionable whether viewing coffins coming home or seeing lingering shots of bombers' bloodied boots helps the public make reasoned decisions. The total impartiality necessary to meet a perceived moral obligation to political or racial neutrality, if implemented, would grossly offend the patriots whose sons and husbands have died for their country.

Strategically it is better to be patriotically biased than completely deny your people the evidence and opportunity to decide for themselves what, or rather who, is right or wrong. Media blackouts prevent the casual observer or professional negotiator from finding a common ground, thus enabling a dictator to self-righteously proclaim that theirs is the only way forward. Aside from verbally disabling them, to refuse your opponent the opportunity to communicate is tantamount to admitting your own opinions may not stand up to the scrutiny of comparison.

Media makes it easy to visually stir compassion or hatred in the heart but does either emotion aid tolerance and understanding? Many of us will champion the cause of the under-dog when it's being publically whipped but are we so quick to rush to their side when they are snarling aggressively and attacking us, seemingly without rational? Without broadcasting their explanation or justification, however paltry or extreme, in a language or format the whole country can access how can anybody form a balanced opinion? It makes bigots of us all.

To an outsider who has never visited Sri Lanka the lack of media freedom clouds reality. Imagination and supposition are far bigger enemies than the words uttered by one's adversaries. It hides the whole picture that independent observers desire in order to formulate an educated opinion. It's not enough to read sulky second-hand summaries and plaintive excuses of events online. The Well he said' and They started it' defence and prosecution school of evidence are best left in the junior school playground,

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