Nomination Day :Rupavahini Live telecast issue

We did not neglect Maithree on nominations day .... we showed even more  -Rupavahini News
It was the National Rupavahini that officially broadcast to the general public the moment of handing over the nomination papers for the Presidential Elections at the election office day-before-yesterday. The other channels were to receive the transmissions relayed by them from outside.


Though the National Rupavahini were partial to the government in power where news broadcasts and other programmes are concerned, there was a belief that all candidates would be treated impartially on this occasion. However, there was criticism on this occasion too as much as on the last occasion. The allegation was that more time was allocated with wider coverage for the President and less time was devoted for the Opposition Candidate Maithreepala Sirisena.

But an attempt was made by Rupavahini News Broadcast yesterday to prove by mathematical calculations that this accusation was without foundation. According to what they say, of the 120 minutes broadcasting time which is spread over the 19 candidates, each of them gets a time period of 8 minutes and 20 seconds. However, there was no mention made as to whether it was shown in close proximity or with face turned the other way and there was no descriptive comment on the time devoted to President Mahinda Rajapaksha. They also state that even the Elections Commissioner valued their election coverage.    

Further, what National Rupavahini say is that though the candidate Maithreepala does not invite the National Rupavahini for his media discussions  instead  obtains the services of  media coverage from other sources. Presidential candidate Maithreepala has expressed views that this incident on nominations day is unjustifiable. The response given by the National Rupavahini is as follows: