tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post117046260606335169..comments2023-10-15T16:52:02.319+05:30Comments on Lanka Libertarian: citizen journalism or trampling on citizens; examples of censorship at groundviews blogsittingnuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08409176960405641998noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post-67215807499455747862009-01-02T05:47:00.000+05:302009-01-02T05:47:00.000+05:30Thanks for the reply to my post groundviews and ce...Thanks for the reply to my post <A HREF="http://blasphemytosome.wordpress.com/2009/01/01/groundviews-and-censorship/" REL="nofollow">groundviews and censorship</A> which discusses the exact same issues but almost a year later (bit late to the party I see). Nonetheless your posts relating to the matter have been excellent reading and a valuable update. It is encouraging to see that many people have/had the same concerns as I do. Now I also understand that this issue has been lingering with the groundviews site for a while.<BR/><BR/>I take a similar stance to you. I have no issue people running a mock with their own personal blogs. Freedom of expression! But when you portray yourself to be a collective citizen voice and publish articles from public, you have an onus to be fair and balanced – especially when you tag yourself with fmm. Which seems to be more and more lob sided at groundviews. This ultimately turns into subtle and sometimes audacious false/exaggerated propaganda. So it is good that we voice our concerns and keep an account of this.Danger Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16806129872144111451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post-67935090090424317222009-01-02T05:40:00.000+05:302009-01-02T05:40:00.000+05:30This comment has been removed by the author.Danger Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16806129872144111451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post-52766157173929765632007-06-30T03:51:00.000+05:302007-06-30T03:51:00.000+05:30comment moderation sux...with every argument comes...comment moderation sux...<BR/><BR/>with every argument comes SOME personal remarks... like i have called VIC something and so has he :P hehhe... and just look at all the comments in blogs...<BR/><BR/>see.... before shit pops out... one would fart... and for groundviews to say "no farting... only shitting is allowed" is not cool...<BR/><BR/>and the fact that the very ppl who are standing by and defending media freedom moderating and censoring comments is just like how the govt is moderating and censoring the media...<BR/><BR/>so its kinda hypocrisy for groundviews to moderate comments...<BR/><BR/>we allow ppl to bitch about us... why? i guess 'cos we all like to fart before shit pops out...<BR/><BR/>unlike groundviews... their shit pops out without any farts... why??? 'cos they like to fart in public so much and their bowels are out of methane???<BR/><BR/>i'm not trying to be harsh or anything like that... i'm only trying to explain my point in a very simple mannerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post-1171094218358150392007-02-10T13:26:00.000+05:302007-02-10T13:26:00.000+05:30Hi Sittingnut, after reading your comments, which ...Hi Sittingnut, after reading your comments, which I liked reading, <BR/>my impression is the following: <BR/><BR/>Any personal comments or criticisms will give groundviews the right to not publish a comment.<BR/><BR/>In the comment below, while you were making substantial points, <BR/><BR/>"......i totally agree that government should investigate human rights violations whether they be committed by military, karuna, or ltte. and bring the perpetrators to justice (and take action to arrest and punish those who have been convicted of such violations and other crimes, like mass murder, according to law). this however should be done according to law. <B>it is here your reason deserts you.</B> judicial proof needs evidence not mere allegations...."<BR/><BR/>I believe there is growing acceptance in communication practice that its better to leave the "you" word out and instead talk about how one feels and needs. For instance saying "I think or feel" instead "you said".<BR/><BR/>best regdsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post-1171050576119520502007-02-10T01:19:00.000+05:302007-02-10T01:19:00.000+05:30Good post snut. That poll about the international ...Good post snut. That poll about the international community being partial was just absurd.<BR/><BR/>CPA being a peacenik NGO, there's no doubt that they intend to use Groundviews to further their agenda. Instead of lamenting about their bias and partiality, I think it'd be more productive to address the some of the major lies and fallacies propagated in Groundviews. Dissenting comments tend to get approved if you sugarcoat them carefully and use a bit of their own jargon.<BR/><BR/>It'd be more effective if you could stop making personal attacks on Sanjana and others and be a little less aggressive. I think there are lots of intelligent people out there who are getting increasingly disillusioned with the peace-at-any-cost crowd, yet end up taking their side when confronted by what they see as a warmonger or a chauvinist. Groundviews is a tremendous opportunity for people like you to reach out to these people. It's somewhat difficult for me to do that without compromising my Sinhalese nationalist credentials, but you don't have any such baggage to lug around. Moderation may restrict your freedom, but it also prevents Groundviews from becoming another Moju, which would make the whole thing pointless.<BR/><BR/>It's not that I agree with most your views. I just think your way of thinking is more balanced and honest than theirs.Just Malhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00665578975481819621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post-1170978319515185382007-02-09T05:15:00.000+05:302007-02-09T05:15:00.000+05:30anon at 2/03/2007 4:56 pm good to be back :-)its ...anon at 2/03/2007 4:56 pm <BR/>good to be back :-)<BR/>its a good point you make about the lack of transparency in ngos in general and the specific ngos mentioned here. ngos that seek to influence policy in a democratic country should be especially transparent. otherwise they have only themselves to blame if public become suspicious.<BR/><BR/>licoln<BR/>appreciate your comment <BR/>their fundamental positions based on the myth that ltte is somehow the legitimate representative of tamils, are hypocritical and based on denial of reality. that they will extend that to blog censorship is not surprising. this would not matter much but for their media claims to be otherwise. that is why the will be exposed for what they are. <BR/><BR/>anon at 2/06/2007 5:18 am<BR/>i don't think u.s. 'budget' has much of impact on u.s. economy. and i don't think u.s. economy is tumbling down. however if there is a slowdown there it will to extent affect sri lankan economy, probably more than the war. <BR/><BR/>niro<BR/>no problem about the comment no need for apologies. i did not reply bc i was busy. <BR/><BR/>ala:<BR/>thanks for the comment <BR/>vicious or not all censors fail.sittingnuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08409176960405641998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post-1170923200943097392007-02-08T13:56:00.000+05:302007-02-08T13:56:00.000+05:30Sittingnut, Sanjana = GroundviewsThe 2 users "Sanj...Sittingnut, Sanjana = Groundviews<BR/><BR/>The 2 users "Sanjana" and "Groundviews" are the same person. Both of them are Sanjana Hatthotuwa. Most of the censoring and deleting is carried out by Sanjana himself. As you may already know, he is a very vicious person.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post-1170782436224109862007-02-06T22:50:00.000+05:302007-02-06T22:50:00.000+05:30Hey, sittingnutaccidently left a comment on your J...Hey, sittingnut<BR/><BR/>accidently left a comment on your Jan 31st post. Pardon this Newbie. sorry for that.<BR/><BR/>TCnirohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05474653647749092211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post-1170719339587425912007-02-06T05:18:00.000+05:302007-02-06T05:18:00.000+05:30HiSorry to divert from the subject, but did hear a...Hi<BR/>Sorry to divert from the subject, but did hear about the US budget? I think we need to brace ourselves. If they come tumbling down, so will a lot of us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post-1170506210005719632007-02-03T18:06:00.000+05:302007-02-03T18:06:00.000+05:30Excellent post sittingnut! I too have been the vic...Excellent post sittingnut! I too have been the victim of groundview's dictatorial policy of censoring everything that either challenges them or points out flaws in any of the posted articles. It is amazing how these NGOs scream about freedom and then go around and deny it to others. Sanjana Hattotuwa, as we all know, is a hack who only believes that his point of view is correct. He is the sort of person who pretends to be nice in public, but in private will act like a complete asshole as can be seen in his replies to you. Thank you for being the voice of do doubt numerous people who have been censored by the odorous folks at groundviews.org!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post-1170502012760841762007-02-03T16:56:00.000+05:302007-02-03T16:56:00.000+05:30Sittingnut!v.nice to see you againSanjana keep lau...Sittingnut!v.nice to see you again<BR/><BR/>Sanjana keep launching new blogs because he be getting so many $$$ for every blog he making!! (don't think he doing this for the help you and I)<BR/><BR/>If groundview goes boom, it not being problem as he can launching skyview and make even more $$$$$$<BR/><BR/>next time you emailing him why not ask how much $$ he and infoshare are being paid for groundview also what paid, for moju and other blogs he made? After all as a stal-wart pillar of honesty and transparency in NGHO community i think he should be willing to tell you?<BR/><BR/>also telling him that as a citizen you wish to inspect Infoshare's accounts. Again I don't think he can deny this reasonable request no?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644607.post-1170462799630718402007-02-03T06:03:00.000+05:302007-02-03T06:03:00.000+05:30this is the last of the censored comments referred...this is the last of the censored comments referred to in the post. posted here bc of its length<BR/>--<BR/><BR/>my apologies for the length.<BR/><BR/>dear sanjana<BR/> i will deal with more substantive and relevant part of your comment first.<BR/><BR/>human rights violations-<BR/>i totally agree that government should investigate human rights violations whether they be committed by military, karuna, or ltte. and bring the perpetrators to justice (and take action to arrest and punish those who have been convicted of such violations and other crimes, like mass murder, according to law). this however should be done according to law. it is here your reason deserts you. judicial proof needs evidence not mere allegations. in fact any reasonable being will call for evidence. so the so called broken record asking for evidence has to be played again and again even though it displeases you. to convict without evidence as you call for, is itself a violation of human rights and to call military personnel guilty of crimes without evidence is calumny.<BR/><BR/>anti terror actions of government-<BR/>(btw national security really is under threat so there is no need to use quotation marks when referring to national security as you do.)<BR/>whether government should suspend actions to defend national security till 'debate' about 'rights we need to sacrifice in order to rid Sri Lanka of terrorism' is over as you demand is practicable is better be judged by public. however if the government or military exceed the present laws sanctioned by parliament ( and most of them renewed monthly after a debate by democratically elected representatives) they should be made answerable for their actions. if you think anti terror actions of government are unlawful by all means prove that with evidence. mere allegations however will not do.<BR/>if you think on the other hand that laws themselves are wrong you have to convince the public to change them. calling public ignorant etc. merely bc they do not agree with your position as you did in the post is hardly the right way to go about this. i will merely point out that they are not ignorant. if you can point to events relating to war that are/were not bought to the attention of public, public (even myself ) would be glad to hear them. but expect them to be challenged for substantiation and calls for fair space be given to other explanations and interpretations than yours. failure to believe in unsubstantiated stories and allegations and lending an ear to other side of the argument is not ignorance but common sense and justice.<BR/><BR/>and btw if you think same happens in usa and rest of the world as hear by all means convince the public and legislators there.<BR/><BR/>your point<BR/>your main point in post was that "Sri Lankan identity, is founded on respect for human rights, fostered through democratic means, sustained through non-military measures and made possible by meaningful power-sharing along federal lines". main confusion here arise from the nature of that political settlement you chose to tag to first part of sentence. i (given the rest of your post and your opposition to military action) correctly assumed in my reply, that you were referring to a settlement that involve power sharing with ltte.<BR/>majority of sri lankans do believe that it is the government’s responsibility to protect human rights and they also believe(unlike you) that government is right in its present course of action in order to achieve that and for getting rid of terrorism. they do believe in a political settlement but ( again unlike you) not with terrorists whose existence stems from violation of human rights and suppression of democracy. they have given expression to those beliefs through elections.<BR/><BR/>-<BR/>my blog<BR/>since you refer to this though i don't see the relevance, i will say i am not in a blog popularity contest and am the first to admit my personal blog which goes through months of total silence do fall short ( but not by the numbers you mention) when it comes to visitors compared to a group blog like groundview with several posts a day. i for instance do not have a single blog entry in popular blog aggregator kottu main page at this time while grondview has seven. more apt comparison will be with any one of your own numerous 'personal' blogs. judged as a personnel blog i am more than statisfied ( in fact surprised) at the rankings recived by my blog from more objective sources.<BR/><BR/>nor do i see the relevance of my alleged motivation in commenting here if the comments are relevant to the post, though you are of course perfectly free to speculate about my motivtion even it is irrelevent if admin here (your colleague) allows. lets hope this part of the comment is not used as grounds for not publishing this comment here since it is a direct result of your own references to my blog and motivation.sittingnuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08409176960405641998noreply@blogger.com