(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 […]
(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 institutions will be physically surrounded by hundreds of thousands of people such as those attending their rally.
The JVP was exercising the right to association and the right to free expression ensured by the democratic system in holding a rally protesting the government’s conduct of the peace process. This statement constitutes a clear threat to freedom of expression generally, and to private media institutions in particular. Therefore, it is a clear violation of the very same rights the JVP were exercising in organising the rally. FMM condemns this intimidating statement.
The relevant quote from the speech of Mr. Wimal Weerawansa, the Propaganda Secretary of the JVP, is as follows: “⦠it will not only be the Temples Trees (official residence of the Prime Minster) that will be surrounded, those biased media institutions will also be surrounded; that cannot be prevented.”
Any private media institution has the right to hold opinions and to support a freely chosen editorial policy, within the constraints imposed by the ethics of professional journalism. No political party that respects democratic norms, and indeed operates within the framework of democracy, has the right to threaten media institutions with siege.
FMM requests that all forms of political organisations, including the JVP, desist from making inflammatory statements of this nature. While the public expression of criticism is a legitimate right in a democracy, it is important to appreciate the full implications of public statements, and to exercise that right responsibly. If the exercise of this right results in causing fear and intimidation in others, it is effectively a denial of the rights of the latter.
For the same reasons, FMM appeals to the media in this country to uphold the basic journalistic standards of accuracy, impartiality and responsibility in carrying out their duty of informing people.
Sunanda Deshapriya
Convenor, FMM
