Aiana programme

Avinesh Sen, Nasinu

I wish to comment on the ‘Aaina’ programme that came over the air on Wednesday, March 30. The guest on the show was Shamima Ali, who, throughout the programme, spoke at length about the sexual harassment issues at the evacuation centres around the country. To my amazement, and during the whole time she spoke, not a single data was presented as evidence to the listeners to quantify the actual problem. We all know that evidence is the key to substantiate any allegation and hear say cannot be accepted by the educated public listening out there. I am not disputing the fact that such things can happen at the evacuation centres, but what I am concerned about is the way this issue is being presented to the public. I am aware that there are some who would like to make a real issue out of nothing and I hope this issue does not fall in these criteria.

A small advice also to the host, please ensure that the contents of such programmes are fact-based and supported through evidence or else it does not make any sense. Call lines were open for victims to make calls and share stories but not even a single victim called over. The only data that has been made public by the Police is just one such incident that happened in Savusavu. Please do not let such an auspicious programme become a medium for struggling NGOs to make noises.

We, the public need facts and not fictitious stories.