(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Harassment of “Mawbima” Weekly It was reported in newspapers today that officials of the income tax department visited the offices of the newspapers “Mawbima” and “The Sunday Standard”, purportedly to look into income tax issues. The same officials also visited two other commercial enterprises owned by […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release:
Harassment of “Mawbima” Weekly
It was reported in newspapers today that officials of the income tax department visited the offices of the newspapers “Mawbima” and “The Sunday Standard”, purportedly to look into income tax issues. The same officials also visited two other commercial enterprises owned by the owner of “Mawbima”. FMM was informed that the officials seized files containing details regarding advertising clients of both newspapers.
FMM would like to express its concern over the possibility that these acts are aimed at intimidating the two newspapers in question. Such an interpretation is quite plausible, especially given the repressive media environment in present-day Sri Lanka. FMM also notes that high government officials recently have expressed dissatisfaction towards “Mawbima” and “The Sunday Standard”.
While cognizant of the powers of the state to ensure the fiscal accountability of commercial enterprises as well as of media establishments, FMM nevertheless urges the government not to take any measures that, in effect, might instil fear and apprehension regarding the status of these newspapers among journalists and employees of both.
FMM also reiterates the need for a united response by the media community to the overt and covert attempts to strangle the development of free media in Sri Lanka.
