Articles by Free Media Movement
FMM concerned over possible adverse effects on media freedom following introduction of emergency laws
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is deeply concerned about the uncertain situation in the country after the President’s takeover of three key ministries on 4 November 2003. The ministries of Defense, Interior and Mass Communications were taken over by the President, citing security concerns. FMM is […]
Journalists attacked
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: A group of Sinhala extremist demonstrators used physical force and violence in an attempt to disrupt a Sinhala-Tamil cultural conference and harm its participants. The conference was being held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 29 and 30 October 2003. The FMM vehemently condemns these undemocratic actions […]
FMM calls for inquiry into violation of protesting graduates’ freedom of expression, minister’s threats against journalists
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 12 September 2003 FMM press release: FMM requests an impartial inquiry on violation of freedom of expression of protesting graduates On 10 September 2003, a gang led by Minister Mahinda Wijesekara unleashed a physical attack on a group of unemployed graduates who were holding a peaceful hunger strike demanding […]
Senior journalist receives death threat
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Death threat to senior journalist Mr. P. Manikavasagam The FMM expresses its utmost concern regarding the death threat received by senior Tamil journalist P. Manikavasagam on 7 May 2003. Mr. Manikavasagam is former president of the Tamil Media Alliance and the Vanni Journalists Association. In the […]
FMM urges government to speed up media reform agenda, investigations into cases of killed journalists
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: On May 3, 2003, the day the world marks World Press Freedom Day, the Free Media Movement (FMM) calls on the government to speed up the media reform agenda. The United National Front (UNF) government took office promising a broad democratic reform programme, including media freedom. […]
Head priest threatens photojournalist
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: HEAD PRIEST THREATENS PHOTOJOURNALIST The Free Media Movement strongly condemns the threat issued to The Sunday Leader photographer Asoka Fernando by Ven Galaboda Gnanissara, the head priest of the Gangarama Temple, on Thursday, April 24, 2003. The Sunday Leader is a leading English-language weekly in Sri […]
Opposition party threatens independent media
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Opposition political party threatens independent media Free Media Movement (FMM) deplores the statement made by the Propaganda Secretary of the JVP (People’s Liberation Party) at an opposition political mass meeting held on 10 March 2003 in Colombo, to the effect that one day the independent media […]
Rights petitioner gets one year prison sentence for contempt of court
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 10 February 2003 FMM press release: Fundamental rights petitioner punished with jail sentence by Supreme Court Last week, the Supreme Court imposed a one year prison sentence for contempt of court on a citizen who approached the court believing that his fundamental rights had been violated. The Free Media […]