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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. Media plays a very important role in our everyday lives and has a very strong
influence on moulding the youth. Examples of media are newspapers, television, radio,
internet and magazines.

2. There are lots of positive aspects in media. The youth receives a vast quantum of
information and knowledge from media. Since every individual depends on some kind of
media for the latest news and updates, it is the best way to bring awareness in the society.

3. The positive effects of media influences are certainly celebrated by one and all. In the
meantime, there is a need to prevent the media from having a negative influence in the
moulding of youth. When the young try to imitate their role models of the glamour industry,
one has to be thoughtful enough to distinguish between the right and the wrong.

4. The negative effects of media on youth are manifested in terms of their changing
mental set-up and the declining quality of their lifestyles. Youth,who should invest their time
in reading good books, studying, playing outdoors, exercising or engaging in social activities
today, spend their evenings glued to the television. The internet which is easily accessible
even for a small child expose them to undisired entities which they should not know and will
not understand in that tender age. As such, the parents have a huge responsibility to protect
their children from such kind of unwanted exposures till they become adults.

5. Every global concept has positive and negative aspects according to the social and
cultural background of the country. As such we should know how to grab good things to our
lives while rejecting the bad things. That will be an exemplary path to survive in the world.
With the globalization of the world, the interconnection between the countries has been
rapidly increased specially in economic and sociological fields. Media is the best way to
obtain awareness about sudden changes of those areas as well.

6. With the advanced development of new technology, the access to the information
which prevails anywhere in the world becomes a necessity. Internet is the classic example for
development of media based on technology.

7. Unfortunately some adolescents misuse media. Moreover certain television channels

encourage and support aforesaid endeavors. Most of the commercial advertisements,
commercial films, reality shows, and music videos prepare their creations based on sexuality
and lust in order to attract the youth. Internet is a kind of freely available media which is
misused by some people. The youth are our next generation. As such, moulding the youth in

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the right shape is very much essential. In this exercise, we as a team will present our reseach
findings based on how to mould the youth by the use of media. The advantages that one could
achieve by using the media will also be emphasized.

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AIM

8. The aim of the research is to inquire about the role of media, in moulding the youth
in the right direction according to the cultural, social, spiritual and religious backgroung of
Sri Lanka.

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CHAPTER TWO

PROBLEM STATEMENT
9. Media has played a worldwide role in providing information to all on all aspects. As
an unlimited resource of information it does not have any limitations towards different
cultures, religions, castes, tribes, etc.

10. The modern world media has developed into such an extent that it has become a
major source of influence to the people. Though there are lots of traditions, languages,
cultures, the media has a major influence on all of these. Likewise, media engenders a great
impact on the attitudes, decisions, activities and life styles of the youth.

11. Since there is an impact towards the youth by media, this research will provide an
analysis on both negative and positive influences of media in moulding the youth.

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OBJECTIVES

a. GENERAL OBJECTIVE

12. The main objective of this research is to identify the impact of media on youth.

b. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

13. The secondary objectives of this research are to:

a. Identify the rapid changes of media and how it has affected the youth (with
examples).
b. Recognize both positive and negative aspects of the media, specially focusing
on TV and internet in moulding the youth.
c. Identify the possibilities of media upholding the youth through the SWOT
Analysis.

i. S-Strength
ii. W-Weaknesses
iii. O-Opportunities
iv. T-threats

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METHODOLOGY

14. The required data for the research will be drawn from the following sources

a. Primary sources –
i. Information were collected by interviewing resource personnel
such as journalists, psychiatrists, and representatives of Media
Corporations etc.
ii. A questionnaire was distributed among a sample of 60 students
from University of Colombo,KDU and Nalanda college.
b. Secondary sources –

Information were gathered from relevant books, journals, the

internet, treaties, conventions as well as international and local
enactments of relevance.

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LIMITATIONS

a. We had to limit the scope of this research to internet and television according to the
results we obtained from the questionnaires.
b. We had limited this research to the facts which could be obtained by the resources of
media within Sri Lanka.
c. Secondary data collection had to be limited to books available at the KDU Library,
internet and newspapers.
d. The time constrain was one of the major limitations.
e. Priority areas of which youth could be moulded have been taken according to the
UNICEF.
f. Further the media of Singapore was considered as a country to compare with Sri
Lanka, because both countries have similar cultural and religious background. On the other
hand USA is having a vast variation of media usages.
g. One of the main limitations for this study is the geographical coverage as this study
was conducted only in the Colombo distrct, as such the conclusions are perticularly based
only for the district of Colombo.

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CHAPTER THREE

MOULDING THE YOUTH

15. it is said that, knowledge is valuable for a person, but character is more valuable than
knowledge of that person. One may be a learned scholar, one may hold high positions of
authority, one may be very wealthy or be an eminent scientist but, if one has not been able to
maintain a good character, all the other acquisitions are of no use at all. Sacrifice, love,
compassion and forbearance are the sterling human qualities that should be fostered,
shedding jealousy, hatred, ego and anger which are animal qualities. Moulding a character
simplify enhancement of human qualities.

SOURCES OF MOULDING THE YOUTH

16. The research reveals that there are main factors that could be enforced at the grass
root level in order to mould the youth. They are as follows.

a. Media
b. Counseling
c. Youth associations
d. Cultural programs
e. Religious activities
f. Family

The study has identified media as the major source of influence in moulding the youth.

DEFINITION OF MEDIA
17. Media is the means of communication that reach large numbers of people, and the
tools used to store and deliver information or data.

MEDIA CATEGORIES
18. Mainly media can be categorized into ten types.They are Printed media, Social media,
Electronic media, Hypermedia, Advertising media ,Mass media Published media ,Broadcast
media ,Digital media and News media.

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DEFINITION OF MASS MEDIA

19. Mass media is media which is intended for a large audience. It may take the form of
broadcast media, as in the case of television and radio, or print media, like newspapers and
magazines. Internet media also could attain mass media status, and many mass media outlets
maintain a web presence to take advantage of the internet in many regions of the world. Some
people also refer to the mass media as the “mainstream media,” referencing the fact that it
tends to stick to prominent stories which will be of interest to a general audience, sometimes
ignoring controversial breaking news. Many people around the world rely on the mass media
for news and entertainment, and globally, mass media is a huge industry.

20. People often think of mass media as the news, but mass media also includes
entertainment like television shows, books, and films. It may also be educational in nature, as
in the instance of public broadcasting stations which provides educational programs to a
national audience. Political communications including propaganda are also frequently
distributed via mass media, as are public service announcements and emergency alerts.

21. Understanding mass media is usually the key to understand a population and culture,
which is why the field of media studies is so huge. Watching, reading, and interacting with a
nation's mass media can provide clues into how people think, especially if a diverse
assortment of mass media sources are perused.

22. Non-personal channels of broadcasting a message to the general public, principally

the national newspapers, radio, and television are channels of communication in which
messages are transferred or transmitted to a large ,wide, scattered audience. In other words,
the means of communication that reach large numbers of people in a short time at a low cost,
such as television, newspapers, magazines, and radio.

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USAGE OF MEDIA

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USAGE OF MEDIA

Number of Daily Newspapers 12

Total Circulation 536,000

Circulation per 1,000 38
Number of Nondaily Newspapers 36
Total Circulation 1,322,000
Circulation per 1,000 94
As % of All Ad Expenditures 27.40
Number of Television Stations 21
Number of Television Sets 1,530,000
Television Sets per 1,000 78.8
Number of Cable Subscribers 5,820
Cable Subscribers per 1,000 0.3
Number of Radio Stations 72
Number of Radio Receivers 3,850,000
Radio Receivers per 1,000 198.4
Number of Individuals with Computers 135,000
Computers per 1,000 7.0
Number of Individuals with Internet Access 121,500
Internet Access per 1,000 6.3

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MEDIA LITERACY

23. Media Literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media in a variety
of forms.Media literacy is approach to education in 21th century. It provides a framework to
access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate with messages in a variety of forms — from
print to video to internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in
society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a
democracy.

24. The process of understanding and using the mass media in an assertive and non-
passive way. Which includes an informed and critical understanding of the nature of the
media, the techniques used by them and the impact of these techniques.
(http://www.medialit.org/, 2002 - 2011)

EFFECTS AND IMPACTS OF MEDIA ON YOUTH

25. Blind Imitation: When you try to imitate your role models from the glamour industry,
do you give a thought to whether you are doing right or wrong? It is often seen that young
girls and boys imitate celebrities blindly. The impact of media is such that the wrong, the
controversial, the bad is more talked about. Sometimes, little things are blown out of
proportion thus changing the way they are perceived by the audience. Media highlights
controversies and scandals in the lives of celebrities. The masses fall for this being-in-the-
news and end up imitating celebrities without much thought. Those at a vulnerable age,
especially children and teenagers are highly influenced by anything that is put before them in
a jazzy way. At that age, they are attracted to anything that's flashy and anything that can
make news.

26. Wrong Message: The negatives in society are highlighted with the purpose of
awakening people about them. For example, the negative effects of addiction are portrayed
through advertisements. Newspapers, television and the
internet are used to convey social messages. But unfortunately sometimes, the message is
misconstrued. The 'awakening' does not reach everyone or it reaches the masses in the wrong
way. As such there is a section positively influenced by the media while there are others who
take the wrong message from it. Media influences them negatively. What is shown with
intent to 'spread a message' ends up becoming a bombardment of the bad, the ugly. The bad is
overinflated and the good goes unnoticed. Depiction of the bad has a negative impact on kids
not mature enough to interpret what they are being shown. It's not just media to be blamed in
this case.

27. Negativity: To some extent, media is responsible for generating negative feelings
among those exposed to it. An early exposure to bold or violent films, books publishing adult
content and news portraying ugly social practices have a deep impact on young minds. If
children are bombarded with fight sequences, stunt work, sex and rape scenes, suicides and
murders through books or movies, they are bound to leave a scar on these impressionable
minds. And not just children, the unpleasant can impact even an adult's mind. Adults may
have the maturity to distinguish between the good and the bad, but bombarding only the bad
can affect anyone at least at the subconscious level. People may experienced bad dreams after

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watching a violent movie or horror film because of the bad influence of them on people’s
mind.

28. Unhealthy Lifestyle: Media is held responsible for the change in eating habits of
teenagers and the unhealthy lifestyles they are adopting. Well, it is specially due to junk food
advertisements everywhere. There is no one advertising the benefits of eating a fresh fruit
every day, and no one is promoting drinking eight glasses of water daily. The benefits of
following a balanced diet are not being hyped anywhere. Media is exposing the masses to fast
food products, canned food, fad diets and energy drinks. This leads teenagers to adopt
unhealthy eating habits. No one is propagating the importance of exercising to keep fit. But
there are advertisements of expensive exercise equipment and weight and ‘fat losing’
programs. Watching TV or browsing the web late night is spoiling the sleeping habits of
many. 

29. Information Overload: The media in itself is so addictive that once glued to it, you
tend to forget everything else. When you are not watching TV, you are surfing the internet,
when you are not on the web, you are reading newspapers, when you are not reading
anything, you are listening to something. Thus, all the time, you are glued to some form of
media. It is bombarding you with content, news, information, gossip, rumors - it is exposing
you to everything it has, some things necessary, some not; some things important, some not,
some things you want to ignore, some things you cannot. Media is everywhere, affecting
every aspect of life.

30. Media Addiction: The negative effects of media on youth are manifested in terms of
their changing mental setup and the declining quality of their lifestyle. Due to the oh-so-
alluring media, most of their time is spent glued to the television, reading celebrity gossip,
listening to something sensational or wandering aimlessly on the internet. With a 'world' of
information and entertainment waiting on the other side of a computer or TV screen, it is not
unnatural for anyone to spend hours exploring it; it is addictive.

31. Self-hatred: Women with petite bodies and girls with a Barbie figures are always
shown to be more popular or attractive while the overweight are portrayed as less popular,
having less friends and being bullied. This leads to a notion that thin is sexy and fat is not.
When this thought grips the minds of youngsters, they take to fad diets or turn to cosmetic
surgeries to get that so-called perfect body. The craze for models or actors and actresses,
makes teenagers want bodies and facial features like theirs. To get rid of a big nose or to get
those big pouty lips, teenagers are ready to even go under the knife.

32. Health Problems: Media has negative effects on the physical and psychological well-
being of society. People spend hours in front of a television or surfing the internet experience
eye problems. Lack of physical activity leads to obesity problems. Media influences public
opinion and impacts the choices that people make. The media does play a role in portraying
‘thin as beautiful’ and ‘fat as ugly’. It has led to a general opinion that size-zero is the in thing
and fat and chubby are out. This makes the people overweight feel out of place. It makes
them ready to starve themselves to lose weight.

33. Changed Outlook: The media has, in its own way, changed people's outlook towards
life. Media is the interface through which millions look at the world outside. Media claims to
depict the 'today', but not all types of media show only the truth. With the intent of stressing
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their point or for grabbing greater attention from the masses, media hypes or exaggerates
things to a certain degree.

34. Right or Wrong Dilemma: The media is so overwhelming that the masses end up
believing everything it says/shows. Media sources are multiple in numbers and all of them so
convincingly make their point, which is hard to distinguish between right and wrong. The
media is constantly bombarding us with information. How far do we go to check its
authenticity? How deep do we dig to get to the root of something that is making news? How
critically do we judge the reality of reality shows and the truth behind true stories? We don't
think, we believe. We do not judge, we get influenced and that is how impassive media is.

35. While a certain amount of exposure to media is essential for introducing ourselves to
the world outside, excessive exposure, uncontrolled access and belief without thought won't
lead us anywhere. They will make the negative influence of media more obvious.

REASONS FOR USING MEDIA

a. As an information provider
b. Role of socialization
c. Motivation or persuasion
d. Debates and discussions
e. Obtain support for education
f. Enhancing cultural promotions
g. Provide entertainment
h. To build a strong integration among community (Many
Voices, One World, 1983)

AS AN INFORMATION PROVIDER

36. Media has served as a boon to mankind and especially to the youth. It has provided us
with an exposure to the world outside our cozy homes. It has resulted in an exchange of
views on a variety of subjects of a wide variety of people from all around the world, thereby
leading to a global exchange of information and knowledge. Mass media has given each of us
a platform to voice our opinions on all sorts of social and political issues and share
information with one another. It has brought out easy ways of communication and provided
us with easily accessible means to reach out to people in various parts of the world. Thanks to
technological development, we have been able to obtain a platform that enables us to present
ourselves to the rest of the world. The negative influences of media that are results of an
overexposure to media are most often talked about. It is true to a certain extent that media has
affected the society in a negative manner. But, undoubtedly, media has proved being bliss.

SOCIAL AWARENESS

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37. The media like television, radio and the internet increase an overall awareness of the
masses. They enhance the general knowledge by providing us with information from all over

the world. News broadcast through different media helps us know about the day-to-day
events in the world. News, tele-films and documentaries revolving around social issues
increase social awareness in children and develop their concern towards society.

READING MAKES A FULL MAN

38. Newspapers, apart from updating us with the latest news and new information, also
contribute to the enhancement of our vocabulary. Newspapers are the best beginners in
developing reading habits in youth. Through the print media, they provide the general public
with a platform to give updates about their parts of the city, exchange their views over
different issues that the society faces and share their thoughts on a larger scale.

39. Media serve as the best means for a speedy spread of news about important incidents
or events taking place. What has happened in the remotest corner of the world can reach us
within minutes, thanks to media. The speed that technology has achieved is helpful in times
of crisis when media is to be used for reporting news needing immediate attention.

ENHANCING CULTURAL PROMOTIONS

40. Media contribute to a transformation in the cultural and social values of the masses.
Media can bring about a change in the attitudes and beliefs of the common man. The
persuasive nature of the content presented over media influences the thoughts and behavior of
the general public. Media has a direct impact over the lifestyle of society.

TO BUILD A STRONG INTEGRATION AMONG COMMUNITY

41. The recent advent of blogging in the media world and practices like public polls and
citizen journalism, have led to the achievement of a social control. These concepts have
strengthened the relationship between the media and the common man. They have brought
the general masses closer to their society.

42. Media has brought about a major transformation in the way people think. Media has
given them an excellent platform to present themselves before the world and contribute in
their own way to the changing world scenario. Media has been responsible for making the
world a smaller place to live.

WAYS TO STUDY MEDIA

43. Media can be studied in various ways. As an interpreter of history, media interpret the
past to us show us what has happened, what was the path upto and how we were. As an
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informant of geography, media define for us our own place in the world. As civics, media
help us to understand the workings of our immediate world, and our individual places in it.
For literature, media is a major source of modern culture and entertainment.

44. And also media can be studied as literature, because media enable us to learn and use
critical thinking skills,like business, because the media encompass major industries and are
inextricably involved in commerce. In the point of view of language, media help to define
how we communicate with each other.

45. Like science and technology, because the media help us to learn technology by
adopting the leading edge of modern technological innovation.

46. Like family studies, because the media determine much of our cultural diet and
weave part of the fabric of our lives. As environmental studies, because the media are as big a
part of our everyday environment as are trees, mountains, rivers, cities and oceans.As
philosophy, because the media interpret our world, its values and ideas to us.And like
psychology, because the media helps us (mis)understand ourselves and others.

47. Media can identify as science, because the media explain to us how things work.Like
industrial arts, because the media are carefully planned, designed and constructed
products.Like the arts, because through the media we experience all the arts as no other age
has ever done.As politics, because the media bring us political and ideological messages all
the time - yes - all the time.As rhetoric, because the media use special codes and conventions
of their own languages that we need to understand.Like drama, because the media help us
understand life by presenting it as larger-than-life, and compel us to think in terms of the
audience.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEDIA TO THE YOUTH

48. There are responsibilities of media to the youth. Youth is responsible to build the
nation. Youth is responsible to make the society good and noble. Youth can improve the
community and culture of society. If youth understand their responsibility, they may not
engage with any criminal activities. Sri Lanka as a developing country, after thirty years of
war needs the contribution of the youth to the development process and to enhance ethnic
harmony in the country. Therefore, media has a great responsibility of enhancing national
integrity through youth.

a. Value of time 

Media needs to identify the value of time for youth in order to enhance their
educational strides. When creating programs, it is a prime responsibility of the media
to be concerned about the above.

b. Stick to high ideals 

It is important for the media to maintain high ideals.

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c. Discipline 
It is also the responsibility of the media to be mindful on the discipline of the
youth in the country.
d. Tolerance 
Since the youth can easily get attracted to aggressive behaviour, media has a
role in providing correct attitudes for tolerance and even convey the message of
availability of counseling programs for such youth.
e. Think before action 
Youth are generally reluctant to thinking before action. But it is a
responsibility of the media to get them “think before action” which refers to negative
and positive impacts of programs that they produce.
f. Defend the freedom of country 
It is the high responsibility of youth of Sri Lanka to defend the freedom at any
cost and the media should encourage them to be so.

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CHAPTER FOUR

DEFINING THE YOUTH

UNITED NATIONS VIEW ON YOUTH

49. The United Nations, for statistical purposes, defines ‘youth’, as those persons between
the ages of 15 and 24 years, without prejudice to other definitions by Member States. This
definition was made during preparations for the International Youth Year (1985), and
endorsed by the General Assembly (see A/36/215 and resolution 36/28, 1981). All United
Nations statistics on youth are based on this definition, as illustrated by the annual yearbooks
of statistics published by the United Nations system on demography, education, employment
and health.

50. By that definition, therefore, children are those persons under the age of 14. It is,
however, worth noting that Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the
Child defines ‘children’ as persons up to the age of 18. This was intentional, as it was hoped
that the Convention would provide protection and rights to as large an age-group as possible
and because there was no similar United Nations Convention on the Rights of Youth.

51. Many countries also draw a line on youth at the age at which a person is given equal
treatment under the law – often referred to as the "age of majority’. This age is often 18 in
many countries, and once a person passes this age, they are considered to be an adult.
However, the operational definition and nuances of the term ‘youth’ often vary from country
to country, depending on the specific socio-cultural, institutional, economic and political
factors.

52. Within the category of "youth", it is also important to distinguish between teenagers
(13-19) and young adults (20-24), since the sociological, psychological and health problems
they face may differ.

53. Young people between the ages of 15-24 represent approximately 18% of the global
population, nearly 1.2 billion of the people. According to UN reports 87% of youth live in
developing countries and, 62% of youth live in Asia.

54. Relating to UN all members of societies among other youth-related issues, the World

Programmer of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and beyond identifies the following 15
issues that should be of the highest priority to Governments. (http://social.un.org, 2003)

a. Education
b. Employment
c. Hunger and poverty
d. Health

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e. Environment

f. Drug abuse
g. Juvenile delinquency
h. Leisure-time activities
i. Girls and young women
j. Full and effective participation of youth in the life of society and in decision-
making
k. Globalization
l. Information and Communication Technologies
m. HIV/AIDS
n. Youth and Conflict
o. Intergenerational Relations

55. Recognition of their unique perspective and contributions must be taken in to account
in order for youth to fully realize their potential and for governments to fulfill human rights
obligations and democratic principles. For the development of all those things media is doing
a great role.

56. Therefore, media contributes a lot regarding those aspects directly and indirectly.
Research found that in Sri Lanka mostly television is contributing more to the moulding of
youth.

RESPONSIBILITY OF YOUTH IN THE SOCIETY

57. There are many responsibilities of youth. Youth is responsible to build the nation.
Youth is responsible to make the society good and noble. Youth can improve the community
and culture of society. After the war nation need responsible youth to face key challenges in
the post war situation. Careless youth does not understand his responsibility. He is not
entitled for any credit. If he performs his responsibility well it makes him a perfect human
being. At the same time it is the responsibility of youth to identify the negative and
positive aspects of media publications and broadcastings within the basement of
cultural and social background of Sri Lanka.

a. Value of time 

It is the responsibility of youth to identify the value of time as every moment

of youth is very costly. The youth should be punctual in doing every work.

b. Stick to high ideals 

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Our saints have fixed good ideals for human being. It is the responsibility of
youth that they stick to high ideals.

c. Discipline 

It is the responsibility of youth to maintain good discipline for productivity of

the country. Youth is the backbone of any country. When they become indisciplined
development of culture and economy of country will get destroyed.

d. Tolerance

A country depends on the work force of their youth. This youth should
tolerate only good things. When it is harmful to the country youth should rise against
it.

BEHAVIORAL CHANGES OF YOUTH

58. Stages of youth development
a. Early adolescence (ages 9-13)
b. Middle adolescence (ages 14-16)
c. Late adolescence (ages 17-19

59. Sub Categories of development process

a. Biological development
b. Cognitive development
c. Socioemotional development

60. As we mentioned above youth is defined as youngsters who are between ages of 15-
24. Psychologically that age category is recognized as the transition period to the adulthood.
In this time period youth is struggling to overcome some challenging areas. This can be
categorized into four main points.

a. 1st point - controlling Aggression - During this period of time youth try to
achieve things which they want. As such, youth do not like to be handled by others.
They want to be their own masters. They also try to gain attention of others. If
someone admires them they can be very much happy about that. If someone is
admired by others they try to imitate him. That type of characters and personalities
who are publisized in media are the closest of youth in their day to day life.

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b. 2 point - Sexuality mastering - The age of 15 to 24 category which is
nd

popularly known as transferring adulthood period gives priority to sexual mastering.

In reality it is biological and natural due to the enhanced activity of hormones. As
such they like to watch and research pertaining to this area. Sri Lankan society is
having a Buddhist back ground. The youth grew up with their parents and in this
scenario those foreign movies are not appropriate to our society.

c. 3rd point - Achieving adult identity - In this transitional period the youth tries
to aknowledge the society by building up his or her own identity. To do so, the youth
tries to imitate a popular character or a celebrity, and take the characteristics of that
particular person as a role model in his or her life.

d. 4th point - Achieving independency - In South Asian countries like Sri

Lanka, parents affection towards children is very high. As such the youngsters seek
thier own independency and try to create their own world.This creation ends up with
taking independent decisions. They are not willing to give a hearing to their parents.
As well, they try to work with peer groups. They give priority to the ideas of their
peer group than the parents or adults.

YOUTH COUNSELLING

DEFINITION OF COUNSELLING

61. “provision of assistance and guidance in resolving personal, social, or psychological

problems and difficulties, especially by a professional.”

62. As well as the American CounsellingAssociation (ACA)

63. Defines the counselling a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals,
families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.

64. Counselling can be conducted in several ways, Such as individual, group and couples
counseling. Counselling is for those who are facing their fears, who want more from their
life, who want to expand their lives and achieve goals both personally and professionally.

65. Youth with a wide range of problems may seek counselling. Feeling depressed or
anxious, being indecisive, having fears of failure and dealing with identity questions are some
common reasons why youth come to see a counsellor.

FOUR MAIN FACTORS OF YOUTH COUNSELLING FOCUSED ON

a. Sexuality mastering
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b. Controlling aggression

c. Achieving adult identity

d. Achieving independence

66. Counselling teaches youth, about emotions, including controlling aggression and
anger. Helping youth to recognize alternatives to violent behavior and aggressive responses
Encouraging them to make good decisions in response to provocative situations.

GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE ON YOUTH IN SRI LANKA

67. The prime responsibility of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development is
to formulate national policies and implement youth development programes to develop
youth as future leaders by providing necessary vocational and technical training,
developing their entrepreneurial and leadership skills, and enhancing their socio cultural
activities.

Vision

68. Globally Employable Empowered Youth.

Mission

69. “Making available of effective policy environment and institutional framework

enabling the youth to acquire necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to become productive
citizens”

Objectives

70. Broaden the opportunities for youth to develop personality and skills to participate
fully in socio – economic development of the country.

71. Improve quality and relevance of the Vocational and Technical Training sector for
creating a globally employable workforce.

72. Enhance opportunities for youth to build a sustainable livelihood by creating an

entrepreneurial culture among youth.

73. Promote equal access for training, employment and development opportunities for
socially and economically disadvantaged groups (Vulnerable Groups)

74. Ensure availability of upward mobility path to secure higher qualifications in the field
of Vocational and Technical Education.

75. Formulate and implementation of National Youth Policy that would provide guidance
for Youth Development of the Country.

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76. The Ministry has 18 Institutes under its purview to achieve this objective.

a. Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC)

b. Department of Technical Education and Training (DTET)

c. Vocational Training Authority (VTA)

d. University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC)
e. National Apprenticeship and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA)
f. National Institute of Business Management (NIBM)
g. Skills Development Fund Ltd (SDFL)
h. Ceylon German Technical Training Institute
i. National Youth Services Council
j. National Human Resources Development Counci (NHRDC)
k. National Youth Award Authority (NYAA)
l. National Youth Corps
m. Youth Services Company Ltd
n. International Centre for Training of Rural Leaders (ICTRL)
o. Sri Lanka Institute of Printers  (SLIOP)
p. National Institute of Fisheries and Nautical Engineering (Ocean University)
q. National Youth Services Cooperative Ltd (NYSCO)

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CHAPTER FIVE

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF POPULAR MEDIA TO THE

YOUTH

77. Media in today's world has both advantages and disadvantages. As far as youth is
concerned, one thing should be kept in the mind that it depends upon the youth to reap the
positive or negative outcomes from media. Media not only helps youth to become aware of
the current events but also allows them to critically evaluate the burning issues. A greater
percentage of youth especially those related to the mass communication and journalism are
using media as a platform for generating income. Media is a platform for displaying society's
views and feelings. The youth in any part of the world can utilize this platform for
communicating their objectives e.g in various countries, various non-profit organizations are
using media to promote the objective of enhancing education system in different parts of the
world. However, the boldness of media sometimes creates negative implications on youth. As
a whole the positive aspects of media surpass the negative outcomes which clearly shows that
youth can get maximum benefits out of media if it uses media as a proper channel to express
their views.

78. Some of the major advantages of media on youth:

a. The young generation can see many things happening around them and can
avoid being dropped back from the world of information.
b. The information is transferred fast from one place to another.
c. They are exposed to a lot of information within a very short span of time. 
d. They get biased opinions through the media and then they can make their own
unbiased opinions.
e. They can learn educational stuff as well as industry trends for their future
aims.
f. Educational benefits,political and social awareness by watching news, current
affairs and documentaries.
g. Prospect of exposure to different cultural aspects.
h. Access to broadening of experiences.
i. More opportunities to positive form of entertainment in moderation
(reading/watching TV/listening to music).
j. Improve literacy skills. - reading, writing and critical thinking skills through
using blogs, chat rooms and becoming involved in message boards, such as on movie
or news sites.
k. Opportunities to Improve numeracy skills. 
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l. Opportunities to Improve and gain social skills and benefits -Social skills
through connecting with others on social networking sites. Values through observing
good role models in media.
m. Ample opportunities to gain intellectual benefits.

n. Ample opportunities to gain creative benefits.

o. Arts and digital visual  creativity.

79. Some of the disadvantages of media on youth:

a. Desensitization to humanity.
b. Exposure to drug use (seeing or hearing about it).
c. Stress from certain types of media (like hearing too many news and reports
about violence, brutalities and daunting alarms of wars or the economy).
d. Possibility of health problems such as weight problems, like obesity if much
time is spent in front of the TV or computer.
e. Potential lack of social skills if media usage leads to isolation, etc.
f. Attitudenal changes.
g. Incongruous cultural practices and tendencies.

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CHAPTER SIX

CONTRIBUTION OF MEDIA IN ORDER TO MOULDING YOUTH IN SRI

LANKA

80. So far, the contribution of media towards the youth in Sri Lanka can be given some
credit to a certain extent. It does cover several aspects that mentioned above. When it comes
to the educational aspect media has implemented such programs as Nanasara, English Youth
Program as well as debating programs such as The Debator, Danumai Wasanawai, and news
programs as Youth 1st.
81. When it comes to the religious aspect the media has implimentsd such programs as
The Buddhist Channel, Youwn Sithata Daham Sisala etc.
On the other hand media has implemented sports programs such as Our Champions,CSN
Channel etc.

CHANGING ROLE OF MEDIA

82. The role that the Internet as a technological innovation has played in the cultural
development of the modern Sri Lankan experience, looking into the changing family
dynamics, as well as the social effects, both positive and negative, that have brought about
these changes in the experience and situation of the Sri Lankan youth in today’s world
because research explore the ways in which it has sparked social and cultural changes, the
history and theory of social disconnection and alienation on one side, and formation of new
types of communties and building of social capital and trust on the other, and how it
specifically affects teenagers ages 12-17 growing up in this environment
particularly through their familial relationships and the ways in which they choose to become
active in the poltical and civic world around them the technology plays in the 'socialization'
of a society and formation of social capital and trust, or lack thereof - particularly among the

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younger individuals within it, as exemplified by the changing mode of civic engagement and
community involvement that has arisen, and its corresponding effects on young people and
their daily lives.

83. Adolescents are a salient group worthy of study because of their unique position as
‘rising adults’ as well as the group that has the most influence in the formation of the future
of society. Today’s teens are growing up in a world dripping with immediacy and
convenience. There is also such a breadth of information floating all around them – more than
ever before in years past – which is often overwhelming. Competition is steep – from jobs to
style and trends, to opinions – and all can change in the blink of an eye. The buzz word of
this generation, for this reason, is versatility. Those who are able to roll with the punches, to
be able to adapt to whatever situation may present itself, are those who are considered
‘valuable’ by this society.

MEDIA ETHICS FOR YOUTH

84. Media ethics is the broad term describing the proper modes of behavior to which all
branches of the modern media should attempt to adhere.
a. Accuracy
b. Confidentiality
c. Protection of sources
d. Right to privacy
e. No incitement to violence
f. No vulgarity or obscenity
g. No Communal writing

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CHAPTER SEVEN

ENABLING LAWS WHICH REGULATE MEDIA

85. The Sri Lankan government is to amend existing laws in order to regulate the news
websites operating in the country. While stressing that media freedom in Sri Lanka is not
under threat, Cabinet Spokesperson and Media Minister Hon Keheliya Rambukwella told at a
news conference today that the government would amend the Sri Lanka Press Council Act.
He observed that there would not be a necessity to introduce new laws to regulate the
websites since it could be done by regulating the existing laws. He explained that the
websites have to be categorized under a separate category since they cannot be included
under the print or electronic media.

86. The amendments to the Press Council Law enacted in 1973 will allow the government
to order websites and electronic media to follow media codes in addition to print media. Sri
Lankan media groups slammed this move to amend the press law mentioning it as an obvious
act to control the media.

a. Public security ordinance no 25 of 1947 was amended as the prevention of

terrorism act no 48 of 1979

i. These laws prohibit the printing, publishing & distribution of

particular publication without the approval in writing of the competent
authority.
ii. Regulatory frame work relating to the media presented Penal Code
Amendment Act no 12 of 2002 in parliament repealing chapter 19 of the penal
code & making consequential procedural amendments to section 135 (F)
iii. In addition to that the house repealed section 118 of the penal code
which had penalized attempts by contumacious or insulting words, signs to
bring the President in to contempt.

b. Right to information act

i. Tshis was brought to parliament to pass the bill but it was unsuccessful.
ii. Sri Lankan constitution article 14(1) protects the freedom of speech
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) has also mentioned this.

c. Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Act No37 of 1966 amended as Sri

Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Act No 6 of 1982
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i. It empowered the minister to issue license for establishing and
maintenance of private broadcasting services.

ii. And also the section 44(4) and the subsection gave powers to minister
to make regulations governing functions of such stations both in term of its
composition the nature of the programs.

d. As well as in Sri Lanka there is an Act called Information and

Communication Act No. 27 of 2003.

i. This Act is to provide the establishment of the National Committee on

Information on Information and Communication Technology of Sri Lanka.
ii. To provide for the setting out of a National Policy on Information and
Communication Technology and for the preparation of the of an action plan to
provide for the appointment of a Tax Force for Information and Communication
Technology to provide for the establishment of the information and Communication
Technology Agency of Sri Lanka charged with the implementation of the National
Policy in both the public and private sectors and to provide for matters connected
therewith or incidental thereto.

e. Sri Lanka Press Council Act

i. Says about laws regarding press.

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CHAPTER EIGHT

SUGGESTIONS

87. Counselling the youth by using media, specially focusing on TV, and establish new
TV channels which can give good education and entertainment to the youth.

88. Implement a practical national policy to conduct and control media and encourage
programs which have proper education regarding media literacy.

89. Develop the standard of sports, cultural, music, dancing, reality and entertainment
programs along with career guidance to take youth to the path of success.

90. Introduce well organized information system for disable people,and increase the
amount of effective programmes which help them to develop their skills.

91. The Print and Electronic Media must make every effort to ensure that their coverage
is factual, balanced and informed. Media should cover the business economical &
educational segment more compare to entertainment segment as Sri Lanka is a developing
country and youth drives the country.

92. The prime objective of media must be national stability in all its dimensions. A
social and political climate needs to be created in which youth could engage themselves
in positive and healthy activities and could contribute to the overall national development.

93. Media must help sustain confidence in our national institutions such as parliament,
armed forces and our social structure. Erosion of such confidence in our institutional set-up
can be dangerous. All problems and issues such as relating to functioning of our institutional
framework have to be explained effectively to the youth so that they develop a positive
opinion and attitude.

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CONCLUSIONS
94. In conclusion, according to the research question, it is clear that the media is playing a
major role in moulding the youth. The research examines how the media is moulding the
youth based upon the television and internet.

95. As per the objectives of this research, this study highlights the usage of media by the
youth and categorizes the role of media in moulding the youth and analyzes the possibilities
of media upholding the youth in the future world.

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REFERENCES

a. Books
i. Daya Kishan Thussu, War and the media, reporting conflict 24/7, 2003.
ii. Sangeetha Sexsena, Defence journalism in india, 1997.
iii. Franacis Williams, The Right to know the rise of the world press, 1969.

b. Websites

iv. http://web.ebscohost.com
v. http://comm3328.pbworks.com
vi. (1983). Many Voices, One World. UNESCO Mac Bride Report
vii. http://www.medialit.org/. (2002 - 2011). Retrieved from Center For Media Literacy:
viii. http://www.medialit.org/media-literacy-definition-and-more

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CERTIFICATION

.............................................. ……………………………………….
Maj EMRN EDIRISINGHE RSP Maj KGD CHAMANTHA
(MILITARY DS) (MILITARY DS)

….………………………………………. ……………………………………….
Mr. HMN HERATH Mrs. VU JAYASINGHE
(ACADEMIC DS) (ENGLISH INSTRUCTOR)

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