Articles by Free Media Movement
Former general’s appointment to key media post signifies militarisation of media, threat to state media’s independence, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 21 March 2008 FMM press release: Another nail in the coffin: The open militarisation of State-owned media in Sri Lanka 21 March 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Free Media Movement (FMM) is outraged that the government has appointed retired Army Major General Sunil Silva as Additional Director General […]
Notorious government minister threatens violence against television journalists
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 22 March 2008 FMM press release: Retrograde Government MP threatens media again 22nd March 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Free Media Movement (FMM) is deeply disturbed to hear that, on 20 March 2008, government MP and Minister of Labour Mervyn Silva, notorious for threatening media outlets and journalists, […]
Three journalists released by Terrorist Information Department; two remain in custody
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a joint press release by FMM and four other Sri Lankan media organisations: Three journalists released 19th March / Colombo – We, the five media organizations of Sri Lanka, are pleased to report that three journalists who have been in the custody of Terrorist Information Department (TID) were released this […]
Journalists’ home ransacked
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Two journalists intimidated The Free Media Movement expresses its serious concern over the ransacking of the residence of two well-known journalists by an unknown gang on 16 March 2008. The two journalists – Sunethra Athugalpura of “Lakbima” newspaper and her husband, Sirasa TV News Producer Sashi […]
Another SLRC journalist attacked, admitted to hospital with injuries
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Continuing attacks against journalists in Sri Lanka require Presidential intervention 14 March 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is outraged at yet another murderous attack on a journalist at the State owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) on 14 March. Journalist Arunasiri Hettige, […]
Journalists detained and questioned by Terrorist Investigations Department
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an 8 March 2008 FMM press release: Number of journalists arrested; one journalist released after questioning. 8 March 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Free Media Movement (FMM) is concerned about the arrest and questioning of a number of journalists on 7 and 8 March 2008. Some were held incommunicado […]
Librarian of state-owned television station SLRC wounded in razor attack
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Librarian of SLRC cut with a razor knife FMM is horrified and shocked that another staff member of the state-controlled Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) – Mrs. Ranjani Aluthge, a librarian – has been wounded in a razor knife attack. On the evening of 5 March […]
Two more journalists targeted over coverage, criticism of December 2007 assault on state broadcaster
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Continuing attacks against journalists who stood up to the thuggery of Government MP 29 February 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: In yet another serious blow to media freedom, the Free Media Movement (FMM) is appalled to learn that a four-member gang allegedly attempted to harm a journalist […]