Articles by Free Media Movement
Regional officials threaten, assault broadcast journalist, forcibly seize his equipment
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 16 July 2007 FMM press release: Assault on Sirasa Provincial correspondent The FMM has been informed by the Polonnaruwa Provincial Journalists Association that B. A. Wijerathna Podibanda, the Aralaganvila correspondent for the broadcasting station MTV/SIRASA, was threatened and assaulted by officials from the Mahaweli Authority. The incident occurred on […]
FMM responds to president’s comments on media freedom, proposes policy, legislative reforms
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 4 July 2007 FMM press release: President’s Comments on Media Freedom and Reform According to state media reports, President Mahinda Rajapakse, in comments made while chairing a “progress review meeting” of the Ministry for Media and Information, reiterated the government’s “commitment to depoliticise media and ensure media freedom” and […]
Cabinet receives emergency proposal to reintroduce criminal defamation
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 27 June 2007 FMM press release: Attempts to reintroduce criminal defamation law The FMM is shocked and dismayed by attempts by the present government to bring back the criminal defamation law, which was repealed by the UNP government in June 2002 as a result of campaigns by national as […]
Minister admits desire to hire hackers to disable news website; remarks tantamount to “cyber-terrorism,” says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Government Minister admits to cyber-terrorism: Attempts to hack Tamilnews website 21st June 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Free Media Movement (FMM) unequivocally condemns the outrageous statement by Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, as reported by the BBC’s Sinhala Service and by AFP today, that he would love […]
Government orders local Internet service providers to block “Tamilnet” news website
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 20 June 2007 FMM press release: Clamping down on the Internet: The ban on “Tamilnet” in Sri Lanka 20 June 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The FMM is deeply disturbed to learn that “Tamilnet” – http://www.tamilnet.com – a Tamil news website, is now being blocked by all major Internet […]
“Mawbima” journalist’s passport and identification document seized as harassment campaign continues
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Journalist Maunasamy Parmeshwari’s passport and National ID taken away The Free Media Movement (FMM) is deeply disturbed to note that journalist Maunusamy Parameshwari’s national identification document and passport were taken away this morning and have not been returned to her. Parameshwari was on her way to […]
FMM concerned Foreign Affairs Ministry comments prejudicial in cases against journalists
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an abridged version of a 1 June 2007 FMM press release: A sinister campaign of disinformation in Sri Lanka 1 June 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is outraged by the extra-ordinary statements released to the media recently by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on the […]
FMM concerned with opposition leader’s charges against media
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an abridged version of a 1 June 2007 FMM media release: On parliamentary privilege and media freedom The Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses surprise and dismay at the statement issued by the United National Party (UNP) in response to FMM’s statement concerning the remarks made by the leader of the […]