Sri Lanka
Journalists rallied against media suppressionPosted Feb 1 2012
Supporters of press freedom in Sri Lanka took to the streets of Colombo on Jan. 24 to protest killings and attacks on journalists and media institutions.
The Black January protest involved journalists, activists and oppositions lawmakers. They shouted slogans and held placards with statements such as “attackers of media are out free” and “government is silent,” the AP reported.
Over the years Sri Lankan journalists have suffered memorably during the month of January. In Jan. 2009, the outspoken editor Lasantha Wickrematunga was killed. In Jan. 2010, a columnist and cartoonist for a government criticizing website went missing.
The Sri Lankan government said it is still investigating the cases and that it has covered up nothing.
Media institutions in Sri Lanka also have come under attack.
“Three years ago my office was burnt to ashes,” Mahina Bongso said in an online interview. Bongso is a presenter from MTV/MBC Networks, which is owned by the largest private media company in Sri Lanka: Capital Maharaja Organization.
Bongso said there is a case ongoing to investigate the fire, but no break throughs have yet been made. Two years ago her office was also pelted with stones and petrol bombs.
“So I have seen and experienced a fair share of media suppression at where I work mainly because our channel is the most controversial and open with its criticism.”
She said she sees political influence on electronic media channels. “So since there is a lot of pressure, the media doesn't dare cross the line sometimes.”