Media freedom placed under the microscope in P’ment
Thursday, 19 March 2015 00:06
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By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent
Media freedom and the fate of missing journalists were discussed in Parliament yesterday when Minister of Mass Media and Parliamentary Affairs, Gayantha Karunathilake brought up the “dark days under the Rajapakse regime” which had led to “kidnapping, beatings, killing and disappearances.”
“I accept that the freedom of the media should prevail in a democratic country and that journalists play an enormous role therein. It is true that certain journalists have fled the country for their safety during the recent past due to the political threats they received because of open expression of their views,” Minister Karnathilake said in response to a question raised by Opposition lawmaker Shantha Bandara.
“It will be difficult to mention a complete list of names since this Ministry does not have specific information in this regard. However, we all know that Poddala Jayantha, Sanath Balasuriya, Sunanda Deshapriya, Manjula Wediwardana, and Rohitha Bhashana fled because of threats to their lives.”
However, Bandara accused the Government of terrorising journalists. “When UNP was in the Opposition media freedom was one of their key propositions. But we have seen the Prime Minister recently threatening journalists while addressing a rally in Kurunegala and also in Parliament. He went on to name certain electronic media institutions and newspaper companies. Your leadership has failed to provide the media with the freedom you preached.
However, Minister Karunathilake countered by stating: “We expect to call back the journalists who have fled the country due to threats on their life and I myself have already made an open invitation for them to return. Arrangements are being made to obtain information about them in co-ordination with the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs. During the past, free haircuts and shaves were given to journalists free of charge in addition to breaking their limbs. Can you name at least one journalist who has fled his house because of the Prime Minister’s threats? We openly express our opinion. We are also in the process of providing a welfare program for Prageeth Eknaligoda’s family.”
