(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Condemnation of attack against journalist The Free Media Movement (FMM) condemns the assault on journalist K.C. Saranga by an unknown group of thugs on 15th January 2007 (Monday night) in Dehiwala. Mr. Saranga was on his way home and the thugs were waiting for him by […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release:
Condemnation of attack against journalist
The Free Media Movement (FMM) condemns the assault on journalist K.C. Saranga by an unknown group of thugs on 15th January 2007 (Monday night) in Dehiwala. Mr. Saranga was on his way home and the thugs were waiting for him by the wayside.
Mr. Saranga is the producer of “Derana Aruna” – the breakfast show of Derana TV. He was severely assaulted both physically and verbally, with pointed comments allegedly being made against Derana and his show. The group of thugs took his media ID issued by the Information Department and some videocassettes belonging to the TV station. Mr Saranga has made a complaint to the Dehiwala police and to the Inspector General of Police Victor Perera.
This is yet another incident demonstrating the growing intolerance of and impunity against free media and journalists in Sri Lanka. Death threats, verbal hate-attacks, physical assaults, official and unofficial restrictions and censorship are on the rise and, consequently, media freedom and the security of journalists are on the decline.
The only way the government can demonstrate its concern about the rising threat to media freedom is by investigating these assaults urgently, bringing the culprits to book. Accordingly, urging the government to make the progress of the inquiries public and transparent, we hold the Dehiwala police responsible for a quick and impartial investigation of Mr. Saranga’s assault.
