Articles by Free Media Movement
Media minister’s restrictive definition of “journalist” aims to downplay number of attacks on media, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 24 December 2007 FMM press release: FMM deplores Sri Lankan Media Minister’s statement 24 December 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Free Media Movement (FMM) is strongly opposed to and deeply regrets the self-styled definition of “journalist” as put forward recently by the Sri Lankan Media Minister, Hon. Anura […]
Parliamentarian murdered after announcing intention to expose government involvement in abductions, killings
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 1 January 2008 FMM press release: FMM strongly condemns the killing of UNP MP T. Maheswaran 1 January 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The FMM is deeply saddened to hear news of the murder of United National Party (UNP) Member of Parliament T. Maheswaran in Colombo. As noted on […]
President sanctions broadcaster rather than media-abusing minister
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: FMM Statement on the continuing developments in the episode involving Minister Mervyn Silva at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation on 27th December 2007 FMM expresses its alarm at the incredible turn of events in the aftermath of the episode in which Minister Mervyn Silva attempted to […]
Government minister and supporters assault state television station news director over failure to broadcast his speech
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 27 December 2007 FMM press release: Government Minister runs amok in State run TV station in Sri Lanka 27 December 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The FMM is outraged, not for the first time, at the behaviour of Government Minister Mervyn Silva today. In a wanton act of violence, […]
Police interrogate journalist’s wife under false pretences; harassment aimed at instilling fear in independent journalists, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 16 December 2007 FMM press release: In the guise of telephone repairmen, police enter photojournalist’s residence 16 December 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The FMM is disturbed to learn that officers of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) visited the residence of senior Reuters photojournalist Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi in Sarojinee Watta, […]
Journalists harassed, deterred from reporting by officials; trend of assaults on provincial reporters “deeply disturbing”, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Attacks against Provincial Media point to larger malaise in Sri Lanka 14th December 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka: – It has been reported to the FMM that three provincial correspondents were prevented from reporting an incident related to the abuse of power by government officials. This incident […]
Two more media workers killed in radio station bombing, bringing total to five; BBC broadcast censored; journalist threatened
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 28 November 2007 FMM press release: Voice of Tigers radio station bombed, five media workers killed BBC Sinhala programme “Sandeshaya” censored by state radio Provincial journalist threatened Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is appalled by continuing violations of the Freedom of Expression in Sri Lanka by […]
Newspaper delivery person missing, believed abducted
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Another media worker missing in Jaffna FMM is disheartened to report that another media worker has gone missing in Jaffna. Newspaper delivery person for the Jaffna-based Tamil daily “Yal Thinakkural”, Mr. Anthonypillai Sherin Sithranjan, has been missing since 5 November 2007. Sithranjan is 36 years old, […]