(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Defense Ministry imposes unofficial censorship In a letter (dated 20.09.2006) sent to media institutions, the Ministry of Defense, Public Security, Law and Order has indirectly requested that all news related to national security be submitted to the Media Centre for National Security before publication, telecast or […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release:
Defense Ministry imposes unofficial censorship
In a letter (dated 20.09.2006) sent to media institutions, the Ministry of Defense, Public Security, Law and Order has indirectly requested that all news related to national security be submitted to the Media Centre for National Security before publication, telecast or broadcast.
This is what the letter has requested:
“The Ministry of Defense, Public Security, Law and Order established the Media Centre for National Security to ensure that all national security and defense-related news is disseminated to local and international media promptly and accurately without censoring. The MCNS is functional on a round-the-clock basis for this purpose.
“Please be advised that any news gathered by your institution through your own sources with regard to national security and defense should be subjected to clarification and confirmation from the MCNS in order to ensure that correct information is published, telecast or broadcast.”
This request comes in the wake of the massacre of 10 civilians (Pottuvil killings) on 17th September 2006, where sections of the security forces have been accused by some people of having a hand in the killings, and also after 14 civilians were injured by security forces fire on 20th September 2006 in the same area.
In a situation of heightened violent conflict, killings and disappearances on a daily basis, and where parties to the violence and conflict are accused of the gross misuse of power and acts of violence against civilians, the request that every news items be cleared by the MCNS is impractical, unnecessary and tantamount to government censorship.
The defense ministry letter implies that only MCNS will have the accurate and impartial knowledge of atrocities and violence. However, experience over two decades proves that in a context of heightened violence, no party to the conflict gives accurate news related to wrong-doings by themselves against civilians and on human rights violations.
The term “national security and defense” is broad and vague. It can be used for any news story related to the war, at the whim the MCNS and the Ministry of Defense, to censor information that flags atrocities and human rights violations committed by the state apparatus. The FMM would also like to note that such “requests” coming from either state defense authorities or rebel leaders are usually directives that are detrimental to the inviolable right of the public to impartial and accurate information on the conflict, and also an infringement of media freedoms.
We have always strongly encouraged the media to be professional in conflict reporting and emphasized the need for impartial, accurate and responsible journalism. The media has the right to publish news stories based on their sources. The request by the MCNS and Ministry of Defense to clear and “correct” all defense and national security news stories is a violation of freedom of expression and the right to information. Such requests are also contrary to the assurances made by the incumbent government to ensure the development of free and fair media in Sri Lanka and also carry with them unseen dangers to journalists in Sri Lanka, at a time when their lives are already under grave threat.
Strongly disapproving this request, the FMM sincerely hopes the government, the Ministry of Defense and the MCNS reconsider their decision to impose a regime of censorship on media and instead allow for the dissemination of information in a free and open manner, as befits the democratic credentials of the Sri Lankan state.
