Articles by Free Media Movement
Draft legislation prohibiting coverage of defence procurement violates freedom of expression, warns FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: On draft new emergency regulations prohibiting defence procurement Reported draft new Emergency Regulations prohibiting coverage of defence procurement violates freedom of expression, media freedom and gravely undermines transparency and accountability. The Free Media Movement (FMM) reliably learns that the government is preparing to promulgate new Emergency […]
Police officer threatens journalist, confiscates his recording equipment
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: FMM condemns the harassment of Pothuvil “Lankadeepa” correspondent by official The Mix Media Foundation in Ampara district informed FMM that one of its members, Mr. U Wijesinghe, was threatened in abusive language by a deputy inspector general of the police who also forcibly seized the journalist’s […]
Media organizations comment on proposed national media policy, make recommendations
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a joint statement by FMM and eight other organisations on the proposed National Media Policy: Statement by Nine Media Organisations on the proposed National Media Policy We, the undersigned organisations, welcome the government’s recently announced initiative to establish enabling structures and a positive culture for media freedom and social responsibility. […]
FMM concerned over recent series of violent attacks, threats against journalists
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: FMM condemns continuous violence against media FMM expresses its serious concern at the continuing violence being directed against journalists and media in the country. This trend, if not curtailed, will restrict media freedom and diminish people’s right to information. An acid attack on K.P. Mohan, defence […]
Military prohibits discussion of human rights issues in meetings with UN visitor
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 9 August 2007 FMM joint statement with other organisations: Press statement condemning military interference on Jaffna NGOs meetings with UN Under Secretary General on Humanitarian Affairs 9 August 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka – As civil society organizations concerned about the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka, […]
Student journalist shot dead in Jaffna
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Journalist student/part-time journalist shot dead in Jaffna Nilakshan Sahapavan, aged 22, a student journalist at the Jaffna Media Resource Training Centre (MRTC) and a part-time journalist, was shot dead on the morning of 1 August by unidentified gunmen. The men, on motorcycles, woke Sahapavan at his […]
Chief Justice’s comments on film have “grave implications for freedom of expression”, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) ? The following is an FMM press release: Chief Justice’s extempore comments violate freedom of expression, prevent fair hearing and compromise independence of judiciary in Aksharaya case According to a Lanka E-News news report datelined 31 July 2007, in a Supreme Court hearing on an impugned decision by the Public Performances Control Board to […]
Restrictions placed on NGOs in military-controlled areas; foreshadows more limitations on right to information and expression of opinion, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Restrictions placed on NGOs in military-controlled areas The Free Media Movement notes with grave concern the news regarding the restrictions to be placed on NGOs in areas of the Eastern province that have recently come under government control. “The Daily Mirror” report of 26 July 2007 […]