by: Robo

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 09:43:01 +0000

Unfortunately ‘Aid Agencies’ have a real dependence on journalists, journalists seem to have no real need for ‘Aid Agencies’. However if an ‘Aid Agency’ can be proven to be corrupt or perhaps proven to be even incompetent that is another story.
In the world we now live nothing can be assumed to be true on face value, everything we view or read has been slanted in the favor of the information provider, to encapsulate the angle they believe needs to be exposed.
It is a great shame that the areas surrounding Potuvil weren’t afforded the luxuries of other parts of the island post tsunami. But there is nothing new in the treatment of that area from the powers that be in the Western Province since the mid 70’s. It would seem that Arugam Bay will not be on the map until an airport has been built in Weerawila and a path through Yala is created.

by: Fred

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:11:29 +0000

….and what might be the relevance of your post to Arugam Bay?
Mr. SwissHits?
Actually, without it being obvious, there is a relevance:
The Bay has not been visited by any Real, honorable journalists since early 2005.
Just a few came to see us a few weeks after our huge swell; most were too busy at the Light House in Galle at the time it really mattered.
They came to report a bit of the (then pretty dated) aftermath.
Ever since March 2005 or so many much better equipped teams descended on the Bay. In true sense. Often by helicopter.
With high tech equipment, often PRETENDING to be journalists.
All did, however admit when questioned, that they were public relations teams and highly paid production Companies.
Such as Saathchi & Saathchi.
Employed by the Red Cross, Mercy Corps, the Whimpy Opera and other fund raising organizations.
What “reports” did they come up with?
We, the suffering “Stars” of their shows, were left behind in the Bay, still sitting on heaps of rubble after 3 years can only guess what was shown and what was omitted….
But we did see a footage or two from the US - and this is the reason why we are still here. And watchful. And a little active.
At Arugam.info.
To try to be a kind of citizen’s reporter. And redress the balance.
Sadly our voice is as tiny as our funds.
In sharp contrast to the ones we are facing.
And who use huge funds up for purposes no donor would approve, if known.
However, the end result is that they delivered the desired product.
And the NGO’s still manage to fool the world with ‘Great achievements’ in ‘The Field’.

Comments on: A new year’s resolution for aid agencies and broadcasters

by: Robo

by: Fred