(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Professional Journalism in Conflict South Asian Editors in solidarity with beleaguered media in Sri Lanka In response to the recent deterioration of the security situation in the country, which has contributed to an uncertain environment in which the media operates, a group of editors and journalists […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release:
Professional Journalism in Conflict
South Asian Editors in solidarity with beleaguered media in Sri Lanka
In response to the recent deterioration of the security situation in the country, which has contributed to an uncertain environment in which the media operates, a group of editors and journalists from South Asia is visiting Sri Lanka from 23-25 October 2006.
The Mission members include: Bharat Bhushan, Editor (Delhi), The Telegraph; Prateek Pradhan, Editor, The Kathmandu Post, Nepal; Mazhar Abbas, Bureau Chief, AFP, Karachi and Secretary General of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists; K. Venkataramanan, Special Correspondent, The Pioneer, Chennai; Jacqueline Park, Director, International Federation of Journalists, Asia-Pacific; and Laxmi Murthy, IFJ Asia-Pacific.
The Mission was organised by the Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU), Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA), the Free Media Movement (FMM), the Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance (SLTMA) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF), together with the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
The escalation of violence between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE has created a climate of insecurity and uncertainty for the media community.
Yet, it is in this very environment that presenting diverse views and opinions of all ethnicities and social groups becomes imperative in the search for a just and sustainable peace.
In particular, the silencing of the voices in Tamil society represents a slide down the path to sustained discrimination and hostility between communities.
The objectives of the Mission are to highlight the situation faced by journalists and show solidarity towards the media community in Sri Lanka; share experiences of reporting in conflict situations and encourage the highest standards of professional and independent journalism in conflict; and advocate respect for independent media and safety in Sri Lanka.
The Mission is supported by IMPACS-CPA Voices of Reconciliation project funded by the CIDA and AusAid.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 115 countries.
