Journalist detained for over five months charged with “terrorism”
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders calls on the Sri Lankan government to release J. S. Tissainayagam, a Tamil journalist who has been held since March 2008. A government minister recently said he is charged with “terrorism” on the basis of articles written in 2006 and his activities as the editor of a website. “This respected […]
Police spokesperson’s unwarranted criticism may endanger media organisation’s convenor, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Police spokesperson singles out FMM convenor for undue criticism Our attention has been drawn to a letter written by the police media spokesperson and senior superintendent of police, Mr. Ranjith Gunasekera, addressed to the chairman and news director of Sirasa News, dated 11 August 2008. Gunasekera’s […]
Government minister organises protest against, calls for banning of, private television station
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an 11 August 2008 FMM press release: Government Minister organises anti-media protest and calls for ban on TV station The Free Media Movement (FMM) notes that the notorious government Minister Mervyn Silva organised a protest against the MBC network’s Sirasa TV television station in Colombo on 11 August 2008. Approximately […]
FMM appalled at police spokesperson’s justification of minister’s attack on journalists
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an 8 August 2008 FMM press release: Police media spokesperson speaks against media freedom 8 August 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – FMM is appalled by a statement made by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ranjith Gunesekara at a press conference on 7 August 2008, regarding government Minister Mervyn Silva’s continued […]
Critical journalist and two colleagues remain in detention without charges, despite conclusion of investigation and absence of evidence
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a joint press release by FMM and a number of other civil society organizations: More than 150 days of detention without charges: release J.S Tissainayagam, N. Jasiharan and Valarmathy immediately Senior journalist J. S. Tissainayagam, a “Sunday Times” columnist and the editor of the website http://www.outreachsl.com , has been in […]
Army commander pressures newspaper to cancel defence columns
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a joint press release by FMM and four other media organisations: Army commander warns newspaper to censor defence columns 5 August 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – It has been reported to our organisations that Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka told staff journalist Indika Ramanayake, of “Lankadeepa” newspaper, that he would not […]
Notoriously anti-media government minister publicly assaults, threatens two journalists
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Brutish Sri Lankan Government MP attacks media again and again 5th August 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Free Media Movement (FMM) is outraged to record the disgraceful and violent behaviour of the Minister of Labour, Mervyn Silva, in assaulting two journalists from the Sirasa television […]
FMM concerned over army commander’s justification of recent attacks against journalists
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 29 July 2008 FMM press release: FMM disturbed over remarks made by the army commander The Free Media Movement is deeply disturbed by remarks attributed to the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, in recent interviews he has granted. One such interview appeared in the […]
Previously threatened journalist stalked
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 22 July 2008 FMM press release: Unknown gangs stalk the head of the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) 22 July 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka’s five largest media organizations, including the Free Media Movement (FMM), are deeply disturbed to note that suspicious, unidentified groups of individuals have […]
Government officials assault two “Daily Mirror” journalists, harass Sirasa TV journalist covering home demolitions
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 19 July 2008 FMM press release: Government officials attack journalists 19 July 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is extremely displeased to report the assault of two more journalists and the harassment of another by government officials. The journalists were covering the illegal demolishing of hundreds […]
FMM condemns latest series of attacks, threats and intimidation against journalists and media institutions
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Intimidation and harassment of journalists continue unabated in Sri Lanka 18 July 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Given the number of reports on the intimidation and harassment of journalists the Free Media Movement (FMM) has received over the last two weeks, it is apparent that the Cabinet […]
Jailed journalist loses appeal for transfer, denied bail
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 1 July 2008 IFJ media release: Sri Lanka Court Refuses Tisssainayagam Appeal The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) deplores a decision by a Sri Lanka court on June 30 to continue the detention without charge of journalist J.S. Tissainayagam and to reject his appeal to be transferred from the […]
FMM notes disturbing decline in media freedom since 2005, calls on international community to help reverse the trend
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 1 July 2008 FMM press release: Attacks against media in Sri Lanka: Whither democracy? 1 July 2008: The Free Media Movement (FMM) notes with dismay the dramatic and irrepressible decline in media freedom in Sri Lanka since 2005 under the Rajapakse administration. We have for years repeatedly spoken out […]
Media organisations launch dialogue with representatives of political parties, welcome appointment of ministerial subcommittee to investigate safety concerns
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 30 June 2008 IFJ media release: IFJ Supports Media Dialogue in Sri Lanka The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) fully supports the efforts of the five media organisations in Sri Lanka to encourage dialogue with the country’s political parties in order to resolve the dangers and difficulties confronting journalists […]
Deputy head of Sri Lanka Press Institute and British diplomatic employee brutally assaulted during attempted abduction following attack by government-controlled newspaper
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 30 June 2008 FMM press release: Assault on Journalist Mr. Namal Perera The Free Media Movement (FMM) is shocked and outraged at the brutal assault of Sinhala-language journalist and deputy head of the advocacy section of Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) Namal Perera and a friend this evening (Monday, […]
State-controlled newspaper publishes dangerous allegations against Sri Lanka Press Institute
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: State media level dangerous allegation against Sri Lanka Press Institute Free Media Movement expresses serious concern that a state-controlled media outlet has levelled dangerous allegations against the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) without verifying the story with SLPI. State-controlled Sinhala-language newspaper “Dinamina”, which is considered as […]