My media life

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 I was born in the 20th century on a small Asian island called Sri Lanka, and my media journey started pretty simply with books, newspapers, and billboards. Back then, these were the main ways to get information. In the late 1980s, television started becoming a big deal, although radio was still king. As a kid, I loved watching cartoons on the two TV channels we had at the time.

The 1990s brought an exciting change in Sri Lanka’s media scene with Sinhala-dubbed foreign movies. Watching classics like "The Count of Monte Cristo," "Robin Hood," and "Les Misérables" in our own language was something special that I enjoyed with my family. Computers weren’t really a thing in everyday life until 2002. I still remember the excitement of getting my first mobile phone, a Nokia 3310, in 2003. It was simple and had buttons, but it felt like a huge upgrade in life.

I have a Facebook account, but I don’t use it much. For staying connected and handling studies, I mostly use WhatsApp. These days, YouTube is my go-to for information since it’s super easy to access on my Android phone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, WhatsApp became our main communication tool, and as a teacher, I had to adapt to using Zoom for lessons. It wasn’t the best way to teach, but it was what we had to work with. That time really showed how important it is to use media effectively and responsibly.

I’ve always been more into visuals than text. Visuals stick in my mind longer and make it easier to get a message across, even to people who might not be able to read. A powerful image or video can break through language barriers and make a strong impact.

Media is a big part of our lives, but it’s important to use it wisely. It can educate, connect, and inspire us, but it can also cause problems if it’s misused. There’s an old saying that comes to mind: “Media is a good servant, but a bad master.” It’s a reminder to find the right balance and stay mindful about how we use media.

Comments

  1. Ranjita PuriJanuary 21, 2025 at 12:48 AM

    Wow, I really enjoyed reading your journey with media over the years! It’s amazing to see how much the media landscape has evolved, especially in Sri Lanka.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Chamarika nuwandiJanuary 21, 2025 at 12:59 AM

    very informative

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2025 at 1:44 AM

    I can relate to many points in this blog post. We are roughly the same age I think, the part on TV and radio in the beginning feels very familiar. Funny how similar we people are, even when we live on different sides of the planet. You close on wise words, the old saying (fire is a good servant but a bad master) has come to my mind also, watching how media and the world is growing and evolving

    ReplyDelete
  4. Maneesha ThathsaraniJanuary 27, 2025 at 1:28 AM

    Very interesting post. Thank you for sharing these lovely things with us. Keep posting..

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sarina ThapaliyaFebruary 10, 2025 at 5:57 AM

    i loved it

    ReplyDelete

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