Articles by Free Media Movement
Journalist knifed following death threats
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 26 January 2008 joint press release by FMM and other organisations: Journalist cut with sharp knife We, the five media major media organisations in Sri Lanka, are shocked and appalled by the knife attack on journalist Lal Hemantha Mawalage on the night of 25 January 2008 in Athurigiriya, a […]
Journalist harassed, assaulted by local officials while covering bus tragedy
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Journalist assaulted by a politician Journalist U.S.A. Bandara was threatened and assaulted by a ruling party politician while covering the aftermath of an attack on a civilian bus, which took place around 7:00 a.m. (local time) on 16 January 2008 in Okkampitiya, Monaragala. At least 27 […]
Journalist stabbed for covering illegal sand mining; FMM alleges police reluctant to take action
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 16 January 2008 FMM press release: Journalist stabbed for covering illegal sand mining 16 January 2008, Colombo – FMM expresses its serious concern and disappointment at the inability of the Sri Lankan Police to arrest the perpetrators who stabbed Bingiriya provincial journalist Mr. Victor Somaweera, although six days have […]
Undercover police attempt to abduct veteran journalist
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Police attempt to abduct a senior journalist 10 January 2008, Colombo – FMM is shocked and outraged that in an apparent abduction attempt police tried to enter the residence of senior journalist Poddala Jayantha during the early hours of January 7. Poddala Jayantha, provincial news editor […]
In latest attempt to silence Jaffna daily, paper receives telephone threats
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM media release: Newspaper office receives threatening phone call Attempts to silence Jaffna daily “Uthayan” 9 January 2008, Colombo – The Free Media Movement is deeply concerned and condemns the attempt to silence the “Uthayan” newspaper, published in Jaffna. According to the Managing Director of the newspaper, Mr. E. […]
Government minister recklessly accuses TV programme, journalist of promoting terrorism
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Senior journalist and a TV channel labeled as “terrorist” by a minister The FMM is seriously alarmed by statements made in a 7 January 2008 press conference by the Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare, Mr. K. N. Douglas Devananda, in which he leveled inflammatory […]
Journalists face death threats for protesting minister’s attack on media outlet
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 6 January 2008 FMM press release: Journalists face death threats for resisting government MP’s thuggery 6 January 2008, Colombo – A number of journalists in Sri Lanka have received credible information that underworld gangs have been ordered to threaten, harass and even kill them for their involvement in protests […]
Army commander denounces sections of media, journalists as “traitors”
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM media release: Army Commander calls journalists traitors 4 January 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The FMM is deeply disturbed to note that the commander of the Sri Lankan army, Major General Sarath Fonseka, has labeled sections of the media and journalists “traitors”. In an interview published in the […]