IFJ and IPI call for international attention on case of journalist defending himself against terrorism charges
(IFJ/IPI/IFEX) – The following is a joint IFJ and IPI media release: IFJ and IPI Call For International Attention on Landmark Journalists’ Rights Case in Sri Lanka The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI) call on colleagues in South Asia and the international press to report loudly and widely on […]
FMM concerned about implications of new private television broadcasting regulations
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an abridged version of a 30 October 2008 FMM special report: Statement by the Free Media Movement (FMM) on the new Private Television Broadcasting Station Regulations The Minister of Mass Media and Information has on 10th October 2008 promulgated a new set of regulations cited as the Private Television Broadcasting […]
International Press Freedom Mission to Sri Lanka expresses concern over deterioration of press situation in recent months
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 29 October 2008 statement of the International Press Freedom Mission to Sri Lanka, which is composed of: International Federation of Journalists International Media Support International News Safety Institute International Press Institute Reporters Without Borders The International Press Freedom Mission to Sri Lanka on its visit between October 25 and […]
IPI concerned over interference with newspaper’s distribution
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 23 October 2008 IPI letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa: H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa President of Sri Lanka ‘Temple Trees’ Colombo 3 Sri Lanka Vienna, 23 October 2008 Your Excellency, The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120 countries, is deeply […]
Human rights activists, lawyers receive death threats, FMM concerned about repercussions against those who defend journalists accused of terrorism
(FMM/IFEX) – The Free Media Movement (FMM) is deeply disturbed by the contents of a letter posted to leading human rights defenders and lawyers, as well as given to all court registrars to be handed over to lawyers who appear for human rights cases. The letter, written in Sinhala and from a group that calls […]
Government Intelligence fabricating reasons to discredit and arrest journalists, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 22 October 2008 FMM press release: Government Intelligence creating environment to hunt journalists FMM expresses its serious concern over the news item which appeared in state controlled daily Dinamina on 18th October, titled “Information about ten journalists who work for Tigers exposed”. The news story had the byline of […]
University fires employee for alleging provincial elections were rigged
(FMM/IFEX) – The Free Media Movement (FMM) registers is deep disquiet over the indictment of the General Secretary of Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), Mr. Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, by the Kelaniya University. Mr. Tennakoon, who is a staff member at the university, was indicted on 6 October 2008 and immediately relieved of all […]
Journalist killed in bomb blast
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a press release from five Sri Lankan media organisations, including FMM: Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) Federation of Media Employees Trade Union (FMETU) Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF) Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists Alliance (SLTJA) Free Media Movement (FMM) Journalist Rashmi Mohamed killed in Anuradhapura Bomb Blast Five media […]
Military spokesperson asks newspaper to change photo caption
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a FMM press release: FMM regrets Military Spokesperson’s Letter to Sudaroli In a letter dated 25th September 2008, addressed to the Tamil language Sudaroli newspaper, military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakakara, writing in the name of and under the official aegis of Military Headquarters, stated that a photo caption in the […]
Crisis in “Siyatha” newspaper, resignation of four journalists, highlights need for editorial independence, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 15 September 2008 FMM press release: Crisis in Siyatha newspaper highlights the need for editorial independence 15 September 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses its serious concern over the resignation of four senior journalists from the Sinhala language weekly “Siyatha” over the lack of editorial […]
Imprisoned journalists reportedly subjected to torture and ill treatment
(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN’s Writers in Committee protests the detention of Tamil journalists V. Jasikaran and J. S. Tissainayagam, who have been held for six months under terrorist legislation, apparently for their critical writings. PEN is also seriously concerned about allegations that both men have been subjected to torture and ill treatment by the Sri […]
Female journalist shot, in critical condition
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 9 September 2008 FMM press release: Another journalist shot and critically injured in Sri Lanka 9 September 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is appalled to note and strongly condemns the attempt made on the life of journalist Radhika Devakumar in Batticaloa in the late evening […]
Independent media outlets, journalists put at risk following accusations of having LTTE ties
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 30 August 2008 FMM press release: Sri Lankan State media used to promote hate and harm against independent media 30 August 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is outraged to note and expresses its serious concern over completely unverified and unsubstantiated pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam […]
Three journalists assaulted by Colombo University medical students
(FMM/IFEX) – FMM notes that students of the Colombo University Medical Faculty harassed and assaulted three journalists on 28 August 2008 and took away three of their cameras. This incident occurred when journalist Yamuna Harshani and photojournalist Janaka Galappaththi of “Lankadeepa” daily newspaper were asking students for their opinions concerning the on-going boycott of examination […]
FMM considers journalist’s indictment an attempt to suppress dissent, calls for repeal of repressive anti-terrorism legislation
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 20 August 2008 FMM press release: Indictment of Journalist J. S. Tissainayagam The FMM has learned from reliable media sources that journalist J. S. Tissainayagam, who has been held in detention in the custody of the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) since 7 March 2008, has finally been indicted in […]
Journalist threatened by political party supporter; FMM fears increasing media repression in Eastern Province
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: TMVP threatens a female journalist 19 August 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – It has been reported to the FMM that a supporter of the Karuna faction of the political party Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) conveyed a death threat to journalist Ms. Thakshila Jayasena, of the […]