Articles by Free Media Movement
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Free Media Movement condemns attack on the residence of journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama
The house of Sri Lankan journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama was attacked by unidentified armed men on 14 February. Samarawickrama has recently tackled corruption in the government on his talk show.
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Sri Lanka: Free Media Movement says Azath Salley’s case highlights abuse of legal system
Azath Salley was arrested in March 2021 and was detained without bail, as he was charged under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act. He was accused of making statements that harm ethnic and religious harmony during a media briefing.
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Sri Lanka: Historic court verdict disqualifying an official was obtained through the Right to Information Act
An elected local politician was removed from his position after a court nullified his election victory based on information that he bribed voters. The information was obtained through the Right to Information Act. The court ruling was hailed as a landmark victory for advocates of the Right to Information.
![Union members and activists protest against the Kotelawala University bill and demand the release of trade union activists, near Colombo, Sri Lanka, 14 July 2021, Akila Jayawardana/NurPhoto](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/sri-lanka-protest-university-bill-getty-768x511.jpg)
Sri Lanka: Free Media Movement condemns arrest of protesting teachers and activists
Free Media Movement reminded Sri Lanka authorities that the “suppression of protests demanding solutions to issues affecting the people and the arrest of activists who lead them is a violation of the freedom of speech and expression.”
![People queue up to register for coronavirus vaccines outside a hospital on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, 20 February 2021, Xinhua/Ajith Perera via Getty Images](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sri-lanka-hospital-coronavirus-journalist-whistleblower-getty-768x511.jpg)
Sri Lanka authorities urged to protect whistleblowers instead of forcing journalists to reveal their sources
The Free Media Movement said pressuring journalist Sajeeva Wijeweera to disclose his sources is a violation of the Right to Information Act and a threat to media freedom.
![A man watches election results on a mobile phone in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 17 November 2019, ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sri-lanka-mobile-phone-fake-news-bill-getty-768x511.jpg)
Sri Lanka: Free Media Movement said ‘fake news’ bill could undermine freedom of expression
Free Media Movement said the bill intended to curb false and misleading online posts could be detrimental to freedom of expression. It was approved by the Cabinet on 20 April.
![Opposition supporters hold placards during a protest against the targeting of individuals being arrested for hate speech against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, near Colombo, Sri Lanka, 13 January 2021, Akila Jayawardana/NurPhoto](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sri-lanka-president-rajapaksa-protest-freedom-speech-getty-768x511.jpg)
Sri Lanka: Groups express concern over the president’s statement about the media
Sri Lanka’s Media Organisations Collective said the recent statement by President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa about the media gave “a dangerous signal of an ominous threat to the freedom of media and expression” in the country.
![Newspapers covering the results of Sri Lanka's parliamentary elections are sold at a stall in Colombo, 7 August 2020, ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sri-lanka-newspaper-elections-press-council-getty-768x511.jpg)
Sri Lanka: Free Media Movement calls for the abolition of the Press Council Law
The Free Media Movement said the 1973 law that created the Sri Lanka Press Council has to be repealed for containing provisions that are detrimental to media freedom.