Contemporary Useage Of Media In Sri Lanka (Eng.)

Contemporary Useage Of  Media In Sri Lanka.

  Media is a multi-term. The process used to provide information and epistle is simply referred to as media. In the past, the communication process is used "without technology" as well as "with technology".  Media is growing and developing, with the advancement of science and technology.

The media can mainly be classified as "print media" and "non-print media". From time to time, man used media to fulfill the need to understand information. when focusing on a medium such as,

1. Newspapers and Magazines 

2. Radio

3. Television

4. Cinema

5. Internet, websites, blogsites

6. Social media

belong in media.

  When focusing on Sri Lanka, the usage of the above media can be identified more or less.  Each media can be identified as contemporary used media in Sri Lanka. Let us examine the contemporary use of Sri Lanka.

 

Newspapers can be described as a media used in contemporary media of Sri Lanka. Newspapers are the oldest media used in Sri Lanka. "Colombo Journal" which began in 1832, is considered the first newspaper of Sri Lanka. The newspaper media that began by that, has changed by structure, distribution, and usage over time.

According to a survey conducted by the Sri Lankan Press council, the present newspaper and radio usage is only up to 3%. But in obtaining information, 29% trusted newspapers as a more reliable medium. Similarly, according to the central bank records, the third most used media in the household is the newspaper. However, between 2015-2016, the number of newspaper readers increased, and by 2016 up to 508 million newspapers have been distributed. However, according to the experts, Tamil journalism in Sri Lanka has some collapses.

Also, currently in the structure, the way of writing, feature essays, using modern ways to design the pages, giving a vast space for pictures, and providing space to the reader's comments can be seen in today's newspapers. According to an article which was published before 2020, new newspapers are constantly published in Sri Lanka and are currently publishing 12 newspapers. According to experts, out of the Sri Lankan population, 1000 people receive 62 newspapers, and 1000 receive 115 newspaper copies.

 After March 2020, Sri Lanka went into lockdown due to the Corona pandemic situation. With that, newspaper printing was limited and instead of printed newspapers, newspapers were directed to alternative methods. In particular, the art of journalism spread, and the Sri Lankan resorted to using an electronic version of the newspaper. This was an unfamiliar experience and did not prove to be very successful because very few people in Sri Lanka have access to the Internet. But many newspapers started to create e-newspapers in their newspaper. In the same way, it has been possible to get a successful feedback process in the use of new media technology such as an official website, Facebook account, etc. related to the newspaper.

A paper crisis has been created due to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the Russian-Ukraine crisis, and the high cost of importing/transporting paper. In this way, we can see a decrease in the number of pages in the newspaper compared to before, while the price of the newspaper has increased. Also, it can be recognized that the art of reading the newspaper through television has also developed. Thus, the use of newspaper media is clear.

"Radio media" can be identified as another unique media in contemporary media usage in Sri Lanka. Officially started in 1925 Colombo Radio or Radio Ceylon is the first radio service in Sri Lanka as well as in Asia. At present, there have been many changes in radio in terms of technical, content, format, and presentation.

At present, the general listeners of the radio are the youth. Therefore, it can be recognized that young people are breaking away from the standard language pattern and using creative language to keep them listening. English and Sinhala languages are currently used by presenters at will. A survey has revealed that only 3% of Sri Lanka's listeners use the radio, and 8% of the people rely on the radio for information.

  Today, radio has become an art of listening. Radio, which used to be an electronic medium in Sri Lanka, has changed in the social media era. In this social media era, visual literacy is being added to the radio, which is now only a sound and is being used in social media. In the same way, the art of web radio is also popular and spreading in Sri Lanka and it has been possible to carry out broadcasting activities beyond geographical boundaries. Also, the radio media, which was an institutional process, has become a separate individual in this system.

Today there are only 13 government radio channels and only 38 private radio channels. Likewise, as a new trend, these channels can give live phone calls during the program promotion, as well as provide feedback through Facebook and Instagram accounts dedicated to these channels, as well as connect with the programs through these social media accounts.

Therefore, this explains the contemporary use of radio.

  Television can be called as another powerful medium used in contemporary media usage in Sri Lanka. In 1979 ITN was the first television service in Sri Lanka. At present, the medium of television is used with many innovations and changes.

When focusing on the contemporary use of television media in Sri Lanka, it can be identified that 57% of the population uses television media. Accordingly, in Sri Lanka's contemporary media use, television is the most used mass media. Advertisements have become an important part of Sri Lankan television since 2000.

Changes can be identified in the current TV programming in Sri Lanka and the way Sri Lankans watch TV programs. Currently, foreign TV dramas and movies are widely broadcast and most foreign TV series are broadcasted with Sinhala dubbing. Because it is an easier process than theater production, it has been directed to telecast foreign creations. Likewise, the young Sri Lankan audience has a keen interest in watching foreign channels. With the advancement of technology, the internet and satellite technology are used to watch foreign channels. Also, reality programs are widely broadcasted on Sri Lankan television channels.

When focusing on television media in Sri Lanka, the satellite system, cable TV system, and the Internet are commonly used nowadays. Today, there are separate Facebook pages for each channel, and people have turned to watching live TV programs and past episodes through YouTube, also where they can react to them.

Thus, it is clear about the use of contemporary television media in Sri Lanka.

When focusing on the use of contemporary media in Sri Lanka, cinema also belongs to it. Starting from the 1925 royal adventure, the art of filmmaking has faced many changes today.

According to experts, nearly 25 films are broadcast in Sri Lanka every year. But today cinema has become a profitable industry in Sri Lanka. Even the cost of making a film is difficult to recover. Cinemas theatres cover their costs through foreign films. Movie audiences have dropped significantly.

  There are currently five film distribution boards in Sri Lanka namely EAP, CEL, LFD, MPI, and Rithma. Today's Sri Lankan audience is more inclined to watch foreign films than Sri Lankan films. In the same way, people have gradually become accustomed to downloading and watching movies online and watching them through CDs, away from cinemas.

Likewise, with the Corona pandemic, many cinema theaters in Sri Lanka have closed. In the same way, today's Sri Lankan audiences have turned to watch movie channels through satellite technology.

Thus, it is clear about the use of contemporary film media in Sri Lanka.

When focusing on the contemporary media in Sri Lanka, it can be recognized how internet websites, social media, etc. are used with the advancement of science and technology.

It can be identified that 37% of people use the internet as a medium of getting information in Sri Lanka. But only 10% of people have faith in getting information through the internet. Through this internet, today's media has turned to convergence media. That is, all media can be identified as operating online. At present, the Sri Lankan community can be identified as using television, newspaper, radio, and cinema through the Internet due to its high speed, minimum cost, ease of use, etc. Especially for this, the mobile phone is commonly used nowadays. Likewise, Sri Lankan users have resorted to getting news from various apps, applications, and websites.

Based on this situation, Sri Lankans have resorted to implementing linear media with online feedback. In the same way, features can be identified while watching old programs again and again, conquering time and space.

When focusing on the use of social media, the youth community in Sri Lanka uses social networks extensively and it can be also identified that children also use social media nowadays.

  Currently, there is a 3.0 style of internet web usage. In this, the user has been able to publish and process information as needed. By this, Sri Lankans are referring to posting opinions as well as getting information through websites, social networks, and blogs.

In this way, in the use of new media, it can be identified nowadays that even the least important events are given more value and published. In the same way, the internet has been used as an easy information search medium in studies as well. 

Thus, it is clear about the contemporary use of new media in Sri Lanka.

  From all the points mentioned above, it is clear the current use of media in Sri Lanka and its contemporary situation, use, and expansion.