(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 21 February 2003 FMM press release: Police obstruct journalists reporting at JVP demonstration The FMM strongly condemns the police water canon attack (mixed with tear gas) on journalists, especially on photojournalists, who were covering the JVP (People’s Liberation Front) led anti-peace demonstration in Colombo on 20 February 2003. A […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 21 February 2003 FMM press release:
Police obstruct journalists reporting at JVP demonstration
The FMM strongly condemns the police water canon attack (mixed with tear gas) on journalists, especially on photojournalists, who were covering the JVP (People’s Liberation Front) led anti-peace demonstration in Colombo on 20 February 2003.
A journalist with the Upali group had to be admitted to hospital following the attack. It was also reported to the FMM that many other journalists’ cameras were damaged during the attack.
Two weeks ago, police manhandled Jaffna-based Tamil journalists who were covering another demonstration. A journalist was injured during this incident as well. According to information received by the FMM, the state security apparatus attacked journalists in both instances after identifying them as journalists.
In both cases, the rights of journalists have been violated, as well as the freedom to gather information. It is the paramount duty of a democratic state to take concrete action to stop this kind of violation from taking place, and the FMM earnestly requests the government to act accordingly.
At the same time, the FMM requests that media organisations take the necessary precautionary measures to safeguard the lives of journalists who are sent to cover trouble spots and adhere to safety regulations recommended by the International Federation of Journalists in this regard.
Sunanda Deshapriya
Convenor, FMM
