(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: THE DEBATE ON THE NEW PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE IS CENSORED On March 26, 2001, the Director of Information issued an order preventing the TNL television channel from broadcasting the layout of the new presidential mansion during a programme on this topic that was transmitted that day. The […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release:
THE DEBATE ON THE NEW PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE IS CENSORED
On March 26, 2001, the Director of Information issued an order preventing the TNL television channel from broadcasting the layout of the new presidential mansion during a programme on this topic that was transmitted that day. The Free Media Movement views this as a flagrant violation of the people’s right to information.
The controversy surrounding the proposed construction of a new presidential residence is now a priority item on many political agendas. The key issue is whether, at a time when Sri Lanka is confronting a major economic crisis, the country can afford such an extravagance. The presidential residence will be palatial, almost the size of the USA’s White House, and has an estimated cost of 1.7 billion rupees. The people of this country have the right to know both the facts and opinions coming from all sides on such a controversial issue. The action taken by the government, on the grounds of national security, constitutes an abuse of censorship, because it is preventing such a debate from taking place. The ultimate aim of news censorship relating to the country’s conflict was also to prevent the Sri Lankan people from knowing the actual facts surrounding the war.
Even though ten months ago the Supreme Court directed the director of information to provide guidelines for the maintenance of regulations on censorship of war-related information and news, he has not yet complied with this direction. Thus, the prohibition placed on public discussion of the new presidential residence can be viewed as a blatant violation of press freedom and of people’s right to information.
The Free Media Movement calls on the government to stop censoring war-related news immediately, to desist from violating the fundamental rights of the Sri Lankan people in this manner, and to allow a free and open debate on the issue of the new presidential residence.
