The following is a 6 April 2000 FMM press release: Assaulting a BBC Sandeshaya Journalist is another kind of terrorism Free Media Movement unequivocally condemns the assault on Mr. Elmo Fernando, the BBC Sinhala service journalist, who was covering the anti-peace demonstration of the National Movement Against Terrorism (NMAT) on Thursday 5 April. He was […]
The following is a 6 April 2000 FMM press release:
Assaulting a BBC Sandeshaya Journalist is another kind of terrorism
Free Media Movement unequivocally condemns the assault on Mr. Elmo Fernando, the BBC Sinhala service journalist, who was covering the anti-peace demonstration of the National Movement Against Terrorism (NMAT) on Thursday 5 April. He was assaulted by some of the agitated demonstrators. The demonstrators were shouting anti-BBC slogans and Mr. Fernando was trying to record those slogans. Then the assault began. He was rescued by his journalist colleagues.
This incident shows us again that anti-democratic tendencies which do not tolerate other views and opinions are also getting stronger in the southern part of the country. The NMAT has the right to express their opinions. The very same rights are also applicable to others. Furthermore, journalists have the right to cover their campaigns as their official duty, and according to freedom of expression. Whoever tries to intimidate journalists by the use of force, as was the case during the NMAT demonstration, is committing another kind of terrorism.
At the same time, FMM condemns the assault on three persons who were putting up a peace poster of the Peoples Peace Front, and the confiscation of 2000 posters on the dawn of Thursday 5 April. The posters contained a message which directly opposed the NMAT anti-peace campaign.
Freedom of expression, including freedom of information, is the foundation of a democratic society. No organisation, be it governmental or not, has a right to violate this. The assault on Elmo Fernando shows that the NMAT do not believe in this fundamental right.
Signed,
Waruna Karunathilaka
Convenor
Sunanda Deshapriya
Secretary
06.04.2000
