FMM E-Bulletin - January 2008

1st January: Sri Lanka rated fifth deadliest in the word for journalists by IFJ
1st January: Defense Ministry attacks an English daily
2nd January: Para-military group threatens a journalist
2nd January: Three journalists receive death threats
4th January: Army commander denounces sections of media as “traitors”
5th January: Leading media trade union activists receive [...]

Signs of media repression: A journalist followed and another media worker threatened

30th January 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The FMM with regret and foreboding notes that threats and intimidation of journalists continue in Sri Lanka, with two more disturbing cases reported today.
A car and a motorbike followed investigative journalist Lasantha Ruhunage of the Sinhala Ravaya newspaper for more than 30 minutes yesterday, attempting to hit him from [...]

Concerns Rise For Safety Of Journalists in Sri Lanka

Media Release: Sri Lanka
January 30, 2008
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) warns that the safety of journalists in Sri Lanka is in serious jeopardy as several serious attacks and anti-media statements by government officials demonstrate a lack of respect for the value of media freedom in the country.
The IFJ joins the Free Media Movement (FMM), [...]

Irresponsible comments and actions by ministers endanger journalists

Reporters Without Borders appealed today to President Mahinda Rajapakse to rein in various government ministers whose inflammatory comments and incitements to violence have serious threatened the safety of dozens of Sri Lankan journalists.
“Mr. President, it is not yet too late to restrain those of your close associates and political allies who sow trouble and fear [...]

Associate Editor of Tamil newspaper stabbed

28th January 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is shocked and dismayed to report another stabbing of a journalist. This is the second violent attack with deadly intent against a journalist reported within a week.
The Associate Editor of the state controlled Tamil daily Thinakaran, Suhaib M Kasim, was stabbed at his home [...]

Adding insult to injury - Rupavahini journalist attacked by thugs removed from his post

As reported by the Daily Mirror today.
The News Director of state controlled Rupavahini T.M.G Chandrasekera who was allegedly assaulted by Minister Mervyn Silva and his security officials recently has been removed from his post.

Sri Lankan Defense Secretary openly states he is in favour of draconian censorship and criminal defamation

27th January 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is appalled to learn that the brother of the Sri Lankan President and Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksha has openly stated that media has to be censored and criminal defamation brought back. He has gone on to name two leading media institutions that have to [...]

Journalist cut with sharp knife - Joint Press Release

Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA)
Federation of Media Employees Trade Union (FMETU)
Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF)
Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists Alliance (SLTJA)
Free Media Movement (FMM)
Journalist cut with sharp knife

26th January 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: We, the five media major media organisations in Sri Lanka are shocked and appalled by the knife attack on journalist Lal [...]

Journalist who stood up against Government MP’s thuggery attacked

Rupavahini drama takes another violent turn
Journalist attacked by knife-wielding thugs
A TV journalist who opposed Minister Mervyn Silva’s intrusion and abuse of a colleague at Rupavahini, the national television network, escaped murder on Friday night when he was attacked by two unidentified thugs on his way home after work. Lal Hemantha Athula Mawalage is lying in [...]

Lives of staff at Uthayan newspaper in Jaffna at risk

Staff working for Uthayan newspaper in Jaffna
Source URL: http://www.isavelives.be/en/node/803
ASA 37/002/2008     - UA 22/08
Staff at the Uthayan newspaper based in Jaffna, northern Sri Lanka, have recently been threatened. Their lives are believed to be at risk.
At around 10.45am on 6 January, the Uthayan newspaper office received a threatening telephone call demanding that the newspaper stop its [...]