(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a Free Media Movement press release: **Updates IFEX alert of 21 July 1999** The Free Media Movement wholeheartedly welcomes the motion on ‘Necessity of Reformation of Media Laws in the Country’, which will soon be taken up for debate in Parliament. Freedom of speech and of the media is a […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a Free Media Movement press release:
**Updates IFEX alert of 21 July 1999**
The Free Media Movement wholeheartedly welcomes the motion on ‘Necessity of
Reformation of Media Laws in the Country’, which will soon be taken up for
debate in Parliament.
Freedom of speech and of the media is a fundamental requirement in a
democratic society. The media has to play an independent and responsible
role in disseminating accurate information without fear or favour, on issues
of public interest. It has been acknowledged that media laws in the country
are in need of reformation. A government-appointed committee headed by
R.K.W. Goonesekera called for changes in the existing law, in keeping with
international obligations imposed by the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights.
The Free Media Movement extends its sincere thanks to all those members of
parliament, of diverse political parties who were responsible for presenting
this motion for media reforms.
We take this opportunity to express our deep shock at the tragic killing of
Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam by a suicide bomber on Thursday morning (29th July).
We are grateful to Dr. Tiruchelvam for his role in obtaining the signature
of the Tamil United Left Front (TULF) for this motion and his support in the
Parliamentary Select Committee.
The Free Media Movement urges all parliamentarians, both of the government
and opposition, to support this motion, for the benefit of the country and
the democratic rights of its people.
Waruna Karunatilake
Hiranthi Fernando
Convenor
Assistant Secretary
