Arsonists destroy publishing house of critical newspapers
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Leader Publications printing house set on fire, printing machines destroyed FMM reports with outrage that an unidentified gang set fire to one of the major newspaper printing houses early in the morning of 21 November 2007. The printing press of Leader Publications, which publishes the weekly […]
Proofreader of persecuted newspaper feared abducted
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Proofreader of “Uthayan” newspaper missing, feared abducted It has been reported to FMM that Mr. Vadivel Nimalarajah, proofreader for the Jaffna-based “Uthayan” newspaper, has been missing since 17 November 2007. He has worked with “Uthayan” for three years as a night-shift proofreader. According to FMM safety […]
IPI and IFJ issue report on press freedom situation in Eastern Provinces
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 12 November 2007 joint IFJ and IPI press release: IPI and IFJ issue report on the Press Freedom Situation in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Provinces The civil war, internal displacement, limited access to information and restrictions on journalists’ freedom of movement have proved to be great obstacles to press freedom […]
Villagers assault TV crew after alleged incitement by police officer; opposition leader admonishes reporter for not publishing statement
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an 8 November 2007 FMM press release: Two cases of violation of media freedom The Free Media Movement is disturbed by two incidents in which media freedom was threatened on 8 November 2007. At the Tissamaharamaya base hospital, a group of villagers assaulted a two-member team from Sirasa TV covering […]
Photojournalists from non-State media prevented from covering budget speech
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Photojournalists barred from covering budget speech 7 November 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka – We express our deep concern and condemn the banning of photojournalists from covering the important budget speech in Parliament today. Although all media institutions were invited to cover the event, it is regrettable […]
Draft legislation prohibiting news reporting on proposed military operations withdrawn
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 31 October 2007 FMM press release: A despicable gazette notification and its impact of media freedom in Sri Lanka The Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses its dismay that the Government of Sri Lanka put out a gazette prohibiting news reporting on proposed military operations in the country. It was […]
Journalist shot and wounded; website receives threats following politician’s critical speech
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM media release: Journalist shot at in Colombo On 30 October 2007, at approximately 11:45 p.m. (local time), journalist Kumudu Champika Jayawardana of the informational website http://www.ethalaya.org was fired upon in Colombo, as he returned home from the office on his motorcycle. Two men in shorts waved at him […]
Journalist’s twin brother killed in apparent case of mistaken identity
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 27 October 2007 FMM press release: Journalist’s twin brother killed in case of mistaken identity The killing of Kangarajan Pradeepan (aged 26) on 26 October 2007 in Jaffna has given rise to the suspicion that he was mistaken for his journalist brother. Pradeepan is the twin brother of Kangarajan […]
Authorities’ withdrawal of radio network’s broadcasting licence “arbitrary and drastic,” says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: ABC radio network license withdrawn; 5 popular radio channels go off the air On the night of 26 October 2007, the Ministry of Information of Sri Lanka withdrew the broadcasting license of the ABC radio network and ordered the network to stop broadcasting immediately. The five […]
Journalist arrested following minister’s dubious allegation
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Journalist arrested on uncorroborated statement by a Minister Free Media Movement expresses its serious concern about the arbitrary arrest of Arthur Wamanan, a staff reporter of “The Sunday Leader”. It is likely to create a dangerous precedent where journalists could be arrested on uncorroborated statements as […]
State security forces bar media access, delete journalists’ photographs
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: State security forces censor media and delete photos taken by photojournalists 17 October 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka – It was reported to the Free Media Movement (FMM) that on two recent occasions Sri Lankan security forces openly censored media and barred photojournalists from carrying out their […]
Thirty-two IFEX members appeal for action to strengthen media freedom and freedom of expression
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a joint statement by 32 IFEX members: Urgent appeal to strengthen media freedom and freedom of expression in Sri Lanka The ongoing violence in Sri Lanka is taking its toll on media freedom and freedom of expression. Journalists are directly in the line of fire. Their safety and security are […]
Official warns that criticism of military will be considered treasonous
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Government labels media watchdog role as “treacherous” 9 October 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The FMM is shocked and dismayed to note the most recent edict of the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) against the media. As first reported in the “Daily Mirror” newspaper on […]
Documentary crew detained briefly, expelled from country
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: FMM decries military’s expulsion of journalists from Jaffna Free Media Movement is appalled by the gross violation of journalists’ rights by the military in their expulsion of three journalists from Jaffna. The journalists had even obtained MOD (Ministry of Defence) clearance to make a documentary. The […]
Draft rights bill profoundly flawed, its freedom of expression provisions inadequate, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: FMM URGES GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER IT’S BILL RE ICCPR The Free Media Movement (FMM) is disturbed to learn from media and civil society sources that the government intends to enact legislation avowedly to give effect to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). According […]
Government unleashes another attack on journalist for his coverage of defence-related matters
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 2 October 2007 FMM press release: Government unleashes another attack on journalist Iqbal Athas 2nd October 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses its serious concern and takes strong exception to recent remarks by the official military spokesperson of the Government and also those published on […]