The Alliance of Media Organizations will launch a protest campaign dubbed ‘Black January’ opposite the Fort Railway station tomorrow afternoon (Jan. 25) against what the group called oppression of the media by the UPFA government.
The group alleged that in spite of the conclusion of the war in May 2009, the government was continuing its despicable practice of media suppression, regardless of condemnation by the international community and media organizations.
Due to threats posed by the government, the Sri Lankan media had been forced to impose self censorship at the expense of the truth and freedom, the group alleged, while reiterating its demand for action against all those responsible for attacks on the media. It listed a series of incidents which took place in the month of January, beginning with 2006 up to Jan. 2012.
The alliance accuses the government of suppressing the media as part of its overall war strategy, directed against the LTTE. A spokesperson for those protesting against the government told ‘The Island’ that the failure on the part of Opposition political parties and media to face the challenge could cause a catastrophe.
Canada headquartered International Freedom of Expression Exchange, International Federation of Journalists, Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka, Reporters without Frontiers, Committee to Protect Journalists, the Free Media Movement and Freedom of Expression Sri Lanka, are involved in the protest.
Incidents listed by the organizers to support their accusations directed at the incumbent government included, revelation of a plot to assassinate the owner of Maharaja Organization on Jan. 1, 2006, interrogation of photographer Joe Jayakumar regarding some photographs carried by ‘Weerakesari’ on Jan. 5, 2006, the SLA surrounding ‘Thinakural’ editorial in Jaffna on Jan. 5, 2006, President Mahinda Rajapaksa lashing out at Lasantha Wickremetunga on Jan. 12, 2006, attack on journalists Gnanasiri Koththigoda and Ajith Seneviratne by a gang led by MP Mervyn Silva at Nugegoda on Jan. 9, 2007, Inland Revenue officials raid on editorial office of ‘Mawbima’ and ‘Sunday Standard’ on Jan.18, 2007 leading to the subsequent closure of both newspapers, killing of journalist Sugeerdharajan in Trincomalee on Jan. 24, 2007, assassination of UNP MP T. Maheswaran on Jan. 1, 2008 within hours after vowing to expose those involved in killings in the Jaffna peninsula, the then Army Chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka declaring that the biggest obstacle to the war effort was a handful of traitors in the media on Jan. 3, 2008, torturing of former journalist Lalith Seneviratne and two journalists, Sisira Priyankara and Nihal Serasinghe contributing to trade union paper ‘Akuna’ over their alleged involvement with the LTTE on Jan. 5, 2008, threats directed at ‘Uthayan’ editorial office in Jaffna by an armed political party on Jan. 6, 2008, EPDP leader Douglas Devananda calling Maharaja employee Sri Ranga an LTTE terrorist on Jan.7, 2008 (Ranga contested the last parliamentary polls on the UNP ticket and switched his allegiance to President Rajapaksa subsequently), police raid on journalist ‘Poddala’ Jayantha’s residence on Jan. , 2008, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa criticizing those reporting on war-related news on Jan. 25, 2008. The Defence Secretary’s criticism was followed by attacks on two journalists who had been critical of the military, attack on Rupavahini employee Lal Hemantha Mawalage on Jan. 25, 2008, attack on Assistant Editor of ‘Thinakaran’ S. M. Caseem on Jan. 28, 2008, raid on Rupavahini employee Dulip Dushyantha on Jan. 29, 2008, bomb attack on ‘Sirasa’ on Jan. 2, 2009, assassination of ‘Sunday Leader’ editor Lasantha Wickremetunga on Jan.8, 2009, arrest of journalist Prakash Shakthi Pillai at the BIA, attack on ‘Rivira’ editor Upali Tennakoon on Jan. 24, 2009, ITN acquiring frequency allocated to ‘Sirisa’ in Jaffna on Jan. 1, 2010, police raid on ‘The Sunday Leader’ editorial office on Jan. 13, 2010, disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda on Jan. 24, 2010, arrest of ‘Lanka’ editor Chandana Sirimalwatte on Jan. 28, 2010, banning of ‘Freedom News’ which supported Gen. Sarath Fonseka on Jan. 28, 2010, Rupavahini chairman attacks producer Ravi Abeywickrema following differences over polls coverage on Jan. 28, 2010, decision to withdraw license issued to ‘Sirisa’ for supporting Gen. Sarath Fonseka’s campaign, though it was later withdrawn on Jan. 29, 2010, an armed gang raiding ‘Lanka e-news’ for backing Gen. Fonseka on Jan. 29, 2010, closure of JVP run ‘Lanka’ newspaper for supporting Gen. Fonseka’s campaign on Jan.29, 2010 and destruction of ‘Lanka e-news’ office on Jan.31, 2011.
The alliance said that there had been a series of incidents so far this year, including Jaffna Government Agent requesting the police to investigate those writing about her on Jan.7, hacking of ‘Lanka-news’ now operating from the UK on Jan.9, accusing the Free Media Movement of supporting the EU’s decision to withdraw GSP plus trade concession on Jan.11, second attack on ‘Lanka-e-news’ on Jan.12, attack on Kataragama correspondent of ‘Mawbima’ by Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha member, Priyantha Ekanayake and the military interfering with a protest campaign launched by about 1,000 persons, including journalists, against human rights violations in the North.
The Island: