The stream of blog posts started with a single SMS – apparently by the President of the country to every mobile user. It was initially thought a commercially paid advertisement aimed at the forthcoming Presidential Election but the operators confirmed it is a favour requested by the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. Does this violate the election laws of the country? Was that an unsolicited entry to mobile users’ personal spaces?
LIRNEasia with groundviews and W3Lanka blew the whistle first now it is the turn of the mass media.
We reproduce here news item and the editorial carried by the Financial Times. The delay and scanned versions are explained by the unavailability of an online edition of the newspaper.
Editorial:
News Story:
(Please click on images for bigger views)
Actually the FT does have an online presence – http://www.ft.lk. It is a textbook example of how NOT to design and deploy a media website. Thanks for putting these up.
Prof. Samarajiva,
There is a facility provided by Service providers to exclude yourself from SMSs. Please contact your service provider and exempt yourself from receiving these SMSs, without wasting our time, media space…etc. Because anybody can send an SMS to any valid number, whether the receiver likes or not. I don’t have to give my number to you to receive an SMS from you…Simple as that. Use your valuable time for something important.
Thanks
Readers may find the letter from CMEV of interest: http://cmev.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/serious-concerns-with-regard-to-the-unsolicited-new-year%E2%80%99s-day-text-message-sent-on-behalf-of-the-president-and-other-consequential-issues-relating-to-the-conduct-of-a-free-and-fair-presidenti/
Now feel “important” Prof! That’s what you wanted all these time!! “mama porak”