News First

News First
Launched October 1, 2003 (2003-10-01)
Network MTV Channel
Owned by Capital Maharaja
Slogan We Report. You Decide
Your Life. Our News
Country Sri Lanka
Language English, Sinhala, Tamil
Broadcast area Sri Lanka
Worldwide Online (via News 1st Digital)
Headquarters MTV/ MBC Head Office
Sister channel(s) Sirasa TV
Shakthi TV
TV One
U-Report
Y FM
Sirasa FM
Shakthi FM
Yes FM
Legends FM
Website www.newsfirst.lk
Streaming media
Watch live

News First (News 1st) is a Sri Lankan news network, owned by the Capital Maharaja Organization Ltd.[1] News1st primarily broadcasts news live on 3 TV Channels (Sirasa TV, Shakthi TV, MTV Sports)and 5 Radio Channels (Sirasa FM, Yes FM, Shakthi FM, Y FM and Legends FM), 3 News Websites in Sinhala, English & Tamil languages and all social media platforms; Facebook, Twitter, Mobile App and up to date SMS News Alerts.

Programmes

Village Council (Gammedda)

News 1st initiated “Gammedda” programme to invigorate the Village Council fora, by taking it to the masses, and strengthening the fundamentals of democracy by instilling the ideal that the relevant authorities and highest echelons of government are directly responsible to the people.[2][3]

Construction Clinic (Danamuthu Sayanaya)

News 1st, S-Lon Construction Clinic called Danamuthu Sayanaya is another initiative carried out with the participation of the renowned architects, builders, engineers in the country where these professionals provide advice free of charge.[4][5][6]

News 1st Classroom (Media Workshop)

News 1st Outreach reaches out to each of young life, to nurture the youth with media literacy and communication, to make a better future through News 1st Classroom.[7][8][9][10]

Dawasa Political Programme

Dawasa is a program which is focused on the current political situation in Sri Lanka where two expert journalists in the field of politics will share their views, along with News 1st presenter Roshan Watala. It goes on to express the comments, impressions and drawbacks faced by the general public on social media such as Facebook and Twitter.[11][12][13][14]

UNCA Award

A news documentary series telecasted on News1st, based on International Water Day was awarded the Silver medal at the United Nations Correspondents Association Awards which was held in United States in 2013. Director English News Shameer Rasooldeen and Executive Producer Zulfick Farzan of News1st compiled the award winning story.[15]

News 1st Digital

News 1st Digital is the official web news provider under the Capital Maharaja Organization umbrella in association with the Maharaja television and broadcasting services. News 1st Digital launched its website, newsfirst.lk[16] in 2007. newsfirst.lk is Sri Lanka's 1st trilingual website and provides latest news updates and breaking news in English, Sinhala and Tamil for local, business, political, life style, entertainment and sports news. In August 2013 newsfirst.lk English website was awarded a Silver medal at Bestweb.lk Awards. In August 2014 newsfirst.lk English website was awarded a Silver medal at Bestweb.lk Awards while the bronze medal was awarded to newsfirst.lk Tamil website.[17][18]

Controversy

Attack on the premises at Depanama in 2009

On 6 January 2009, News 1st’s studio complex, MTV/MBC Radio/TV station was attacked and burned by unidentified gunmen.[19] The attackers fled after inflicting targeted damage to the station’s main centre. Within hours, the attack was widely condemned by local and international groups. It also sparked intense discussion and debate online as to who did it, and why. Opposition political parties and media organisations accused the then government of being responsible for the attack.[20][21]

Attack on the Head Office in Colombo, 2010

On 22 March 2010, a group of protesters held a march at the head office of the MTV/Sirasa media network in central Colombo against American rap singer Akon's show, scheduled to be held in Colombo, which The Capital Maharaja Organization Ltd played a main role organizing. Protesters stoned the building causing minor damage.[22]

References

  1. ↑ "MTV Channel (PVT) Ltd.".
  2. ↑ "Gammadda Sirasa live program.".
  3. ↑ "Gammadda Sirasa TV Videos.".
  4. ↑ "8th S-lon Danamuthu Sayanaya delights the people in Jaffna.".
  5. ↑ "S-Lon Holds 7th Danamuthu Sayanaya in Kandy.".
  6. ↑ "Page 16 - CCI Bulletin March 2014".
  7. ↑ "Category Archives: workshop of the Newsfirst Classroom program".
  8. ↑ "News First Classroom".
  9. ↑ "Another Newsfirst media workshop held in Colombo".
  10. ↑ "News1st Classroom : 175th media workshop underway for a second day in Hali-Ela".
  11. ↑ "News1st Dawasa".
  12. ↑ "news first dawasa".
  13. ↑ "News 1st Dawasa 19.05.2015".
  14. ↑ "News First Dawasa".
  15. ↑ "Another first, another victory".
  16. ↑ "News 1st Digital".
  17. ↑ "Newsfirst website honoured again at Bestweb.lk Awards".
  18. ↑ "Newsfirst website awarded Silver medal at Bestweb.lk Awards".
  19. ↑ "http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1283/". External link in |title= (help)
  20. ↑ "President Mahinda Rajapakse must take responsibility for SIRASA TV attack - JVP".
  21. ↑ "Attack on Sirasa TV: Who wants to create a headless Sri Lankan nation?".
  22. ↑ "Sri Lanka: Pro-government mob attacks media network offices".
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