(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 27 July 2004 FMM press release: Contempt of court case filed against a number of media organizations The Free Media Movement (FMM) is paying close attention to published reports regarding a petition against a number of media institutions (MTV, Swarnavahini, TNL, Ravaya, Sunday Leader, Sri FM, Sha FM and […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 27 July 2004 FMM press release:
Contempt of court case filed against a number of media organizations
The Free Media Movement (FMM) is paying close attention to published reports regarding a petition against a number of media institutions (MTV, Swarnavahini, TNL, Ravaya, Sunday Leader, Sri FM, Sha FM and Hiru FM) sent to the chief justice by a person named J.J Guneththi, from Horana. The petition alleges a conspiracy by the aforesaid media organizations to damage the people’s trust in the judiciary by publishing news items which are defamatory of the justice system and the judiciary. According to reports, the petition has been referred by the chief justice to other Supreme Court judges.
The FMM views the petition as part of an organized scheme being carried out to intimidate media institutions and journalists. On a prior occasion, the Bar Association president publicly stated that journalists who defame the judiciary must be punished. The Editors Guild and the FMM condemned the statement. The petition sent to the chief justice, requesting that a number of media institutions be punished on the grounds that they have also defamed the judiciary, appears to be a logical outcome of the same process.
The chief justice had previously stated that there was an organized movement to publicize information for the purpose of defaming him. Following the publication of a story alleging that he had been examined by police while he was with a woman, the chief justice asked the inspector general of police (IGP) to hold an inquiry into the matter. Subsequently, certain media organizations investigated the incident and reported their findings to the public. The United National Party also issued a public statement on the incident and the United Opposition tabled a resolution requesting that a parliamentary committee look into the matter.
At the time, certain media organizations, including the government media, only published news that was favourable to the chief justice, while others investigated the veracity of the information. According to the information published by those who investigated the incident, what appears prima facie is that the chief justice lied to the country to camouflage a real event. If it is established by a parliamentary committee inquiry that the chief justice had indeed lied, a situation may arise in which he would have to give up his post.
The FMM is of the view that under these circumstances it is not fair to inquire into the media’s alleged defamation of the judiciary. An inquiry into the facts surrounding the alleged incident and the chief justice’s statement must first take place. If the allegations against the chief justice are unfounded, then it will be fair to take action through due process against those journalists who reported the allegations as fact. If the information regarding the incident is proven to be true, legal action should be taken against the chief justice for the offence of making a false public statement.
We call on journalists and media organizations to consider this a critical matter with respect to freedom of expression and to unite at this time to protect the right to free expression.
Sunanda Deshapriya
Spokesperson
FMM
