Army accuses three journalists of “terrorism”
(RSF/IFEX) – Army spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe produced evidence at a press conference in Colombo on 6 February 2007 implicating three journalists and trade union activists in planning terrorist acts. Nihal Serasinghe, Lalith Seneviratne and Sisira Priyankara were also accused of collusion with the Tamil Tigers and one officer said they had already carried out attacks […]
Two more journalists with trade union monthly kidnapped
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to give unequivocal orders for three journalists and trade union activists, kidnapped in Colombo on 5 February 2007, to be found and released unharmed. The three, all working for the trade union monthly “Akuna” (“Thunder”), linked to the train drivers union, were all snatched in […]
Former journalist abducted from his home
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Former journalist abducted from his home M. Lalith Seneviratne, a former journalist with the weekly Sinhala-language newspaper “Hiru”, was abducted from his home in Aturugiriya at around 9.30 p.m. (local time) on 5 February 2007. The editor of “Hiru”, Rohitha Bhashana, fled the country several weeks […]
Internet access and 8,000 telephone lines blocked in Jaffna Peninsula
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Internet facilities and 8,000 telephones cut off in Jaffna Peninsula The Free Media Movement (FMM) is deeply disturbed to learn that basic communications facilities to the Jaffna Peninsula have been blocked since 28 January 2007. Internet facilities and approximately 8,000 landline telephones of Sri Lanka Telecom […]
CAPSULE REPORT: Journalists in Jaffna severely hampered by deteriorating security situation, impaired infrastructure and telecommunication facilities
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 24 January FMM special report: Situation of Media and Journalism in the Jaffna Peninsula The situation of the media and journalism in Jaffna deteriorated considerably in 2006. Six media workers have been killed since 2005. A well-known journalist, Nimalarajan, was killed in Jaffna in 2000. Impunity remains the order […]
Journalist’s detention extended for another 90 days
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Female journalist Mawnasamy Parameshwaree detained for another 90 days The Free Media Movement (FMM) is deeply concerned and vigorously condemns the continuous custody of Mawnasamy Parameshwaree, a 23-year-old female freelance journalist working for the weekly Sinhala newspaper “Mawbima” ( http://www.mawbima.org ), who has been in police […]
Income tax investigation into two newspapers may be intimidation tactic, says FMM
(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 […]
Journalists, free expression worker labelled “traitors”, issued death threats
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ demands full investigation into death threats against journalists The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called for a full investigation into death threats made against Free Media Movement (FMM) convener Sunanda Deshapriya, leading journalist Bandula Padmakumara, The Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wikramatunga, and Ravaya editor […]
TV journalist assaulted
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Condemnation of attack against journalist The Free Media Movement (FMM) condemns the assault on journalist K.C. Saranga by an unknown group of thugs on 15th January 2007 (Monday night) in Dehiwala. Mr. Saranga was on his way home and the thugs were waiting for him by […]
Paramilitary group prohibits sale of two dailies; soldiers raid offices of three newspapers, halt publication of communiqué; editor’s home forcibly entered
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Concerns on the dire situation of media in Sri Lanka Indications of the growing deterioration of media freedom and a culture of impunity were evident in media reports yesterday. The FMM notes, with deep concern, news reports on the alleged ban by the Karuna paramilitary group […]
Minister threatens journalist with bodily harm over reports accusing him of corruption
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 10 January 2007 FMM press release: “Thinakkural” Journalist M.A.M. Nilam threatened by Minister Fowzie The FMM is concerned over reports it has received that Minister for Transport A.H.M. Fowzie threatened journalist M.A.M. Nilam over coverage related to the minister and his son. This incident took place in front of […]
Mob assaults two journalists covering anti-war rally, attacks photographer and seizes camera
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 9 January 2007 FMM press release: Assault on Journalists The FMM is disturbed to receive reports that an unruly mob of hundreds of persons invaded an open stage in Nugegoda, Colombo, around 2:30 p.m. (local time) on 9 January 2007, to disrupt the first public rally of the United […]
Three journalists flee country due to continuous death threats as press freedom situation deteriorates
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 9 January 2007 IFJ media release: Independent voices being silenced in Sri Lanka The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned about the steady erosion of press freedom in Sri Lanka, following reports of the media being denied access to war zones, incidents of self-censorship and intimidation, and […]
Journalists prevented from covering conflict zone; newspapers reduce publishing due to lack of supplies; editor under threat of arrest; journalist announces his forced self-censorship
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has voiced deep concern about the fact that journalists are being denied all access to war zones while a war of words and figures is being waged between the government and the Tamil armed separatists, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). “This week’s Padahuthurai bombing tragically showed that the […]
Senior journalists questioned by police under new Anti-Terrorism Regulations
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Senior Journalists questioned by Police under new Anti-Terrorism Regulations The Free Media Movement (FMM) is concerned that the introduction of the new anti-terrorism legislation in Sri Lanka is having a chilling effect on media freedom. On the 20th of December 2006, two senior journalists – Ranga […]
New anti-terrorism law forces columnist into self-censorship
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: New regulations and censorship The Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses dismay at the growing self-censorship of media in Sri Lanka, in light of the recently introduced anti-terrorism legislation. The Emergency (Prevention and Prohibition of Terrorism and Specified Terrorist Activities) Regulations No. 07 of 2006, introduced in […]