New emergency rules threaten free expression
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 7 December 2006 FMM press release: Statement on the New Emergency Measures The public security and anti-terrorism measures introduced by the government this week are potentially extremely negative for freedom of speech and expression in Sri Lanka. The new emergency regulations – Emergency (Prevention and Prohibition of Terrorism and […]
Several newspapers unable to circulate in east of country
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has called on media and information minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa to act quickly to ensure that all Tamil newspapers can circulate freely in areas controlled by the government. A pro-government militia led by Tamil warlord Karuna has re-imposed a ban on the Sunday edition of the newspaper “Virakesari”, with the […]
Military detains two journalists for police questioning, film and photographs confiscated before release
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 6 December 2006 IFJ media release: “Shocking violations” of journalists’ rights continue in Sri Lanka The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is disturbed by Sri Lankan journalists’ continued suffering at the hands of authorities, after two journalists were detained by the military and police assaulted a photojournalist, while another […]
Freelance Tamil journalist arrested
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 30 December 2006 CPJ press release: SRI LANKA: Freelance Tamil journalist arrested New York, November 30, 2006 – Sri Lankan authorities should either charge or release a freelance Tamil journalist detained for nearly a week, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Parameswaree Maunasámi, who wrote for the Sinhala-language […]
Photojournalist assaulted by police, detained overnight, his camera broken, faces charges after filming police action in temple
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 30 November 2006 FMM press release: Photo journalist assaulted and his camera smashed on the ground by police On 28 November 2006, Asoka Fernando, deputy pictures editor of “The Sunday Leader”, was assaulted and taken into police custody by the Maharagama police in the outskirts of Colombo. Fernando sustained […]
UNESCO senior advisor asks president to ban book critical of her conduct as former president
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 23 November 2006 FMM letter to UNESCO Director General Koïchiro Matsuura: Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura Director General, UNESCO, 7, Place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07 SP France Dear Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, SENIOR ADVISOR TO UNESCO MRS. CHANDRIKA B. KUMARATUNGA THROTTLES FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION The Free Media Movement (FMM) is seriously […]
Chief editor of public newspaper dismissed without explanation
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 19 November 2006 FMM press release: Dinamina Editor removed, without any reason given Mr. Chandrasiri Dodawatta, chief editor of the newspaper “Sinhala Daily Dinamina”, was removed from his editorship on 19 November 2006 without any reason given for his removal. He is the third chief editor removed from the […]
Education director of public television station sent on compulsory leave over sexual content of programme
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 19 November 2006 FMM press release: State television director of education sent on compulsory leave from health education programme. Free Media Movement is shocked and appalled by the decision to send Mrs. Anoma Wattaladeniya, Director of Education for the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), on compulsory leave in response […]
Television presenter receives death threats
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press statement: Threat to Sri Ranga of Shakthi TV It has been brought to the attention of the Free Media Movement (FMM) that the deputy inspector general of police in charge of Colombo, Pujitha Jayasundarra, informed the MTV/MBC network that J. Sri Ranga, the head of Shakthi TV, […]
FM radio channel banned without warning over programming with sexual content
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 9 November 2006 FMM press release: FM radio banned, without prior warning The Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses serious concern over the government’s banning of Raja FM, a radio channel of the AEP radio and television network, based on an allegation of “indecency” by the Department of Information. The […]
Police chief accuses media of publishing false information; Reuters journalist threatened by soldiers; Minister accuses BBC of supporting rebels
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has condemned a campaign of harassment by Sri Lankan security forces in a bid to force Tamil journalists into self-censorship, since the resumption of conflict between the army and Tamil Tigers (LTTE) rebels. Scores of Tamil journalists have been forced into hiding or silence since then and for fear of […]
Editors of three Jaffna newspapers warned by military against critical coverage, reporting on rebels
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Editors of Jaffna dailies threatened The commander of Army 512 Brigade in Jaffna summoned the editors of three Jaffna dailies on 6th November 2006 and warned them against publishing any news critical of the military in Jaffna, reliable sources informed the Free Media Movement (FMM) today. […]
Paramilitary group burns 10,000 copies of Tamil-language daily newspaper
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 25 October 2006 FMM press release: 20,000 copies of Tamil Daily Virakesari burned by Para military group Free Media Movement (FMM) registers its strong condemnation of continuing threats and harassment directed at Tamil-language media in Sri Lanka. On 23 October 2006, 10,000 copies of the Tamil daily newspaper “Virakesari” […]
Media mission makes final recommendations in solidarity with journalists reporting on conflict
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 25 October 2006 IFJ media release: Professional Journalism in Conflict South Asian Editors in solidarity with beleaguered media in Sri Lanka In response to the recent deterioration of the security situation in the country, which has contributed to an uncertain environment in which the media operates, a group of […]
FMM decries air force’s bombing of rebel radio station
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 19 October 2006 FMM press release: FMM decries bombing of the Voice of Tigers (VOT) The Free Media Movement (FMM) decries the bombing of radio station Voice of Tigers (VOT), the official radio station of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Fighter jets belonging to the Sri Lankan […]
South Asian editors express solidarity with beleaguered media in Sri Lanka
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Professional Journalism in Conflict South Asian Editors in solidarity with beleaguered media in Sri Lanka In response to the recent deterioration of the security situation in the country, which has contributed to an uncertain environment in which the media operates, a group of editors and journalists […]