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Unfair charges against journalists
Friday, 2 June 2006 - 4:38 AM SL Time
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T he Independent Federation of Journalists has expressed its deep concern over the death threats and generation of public hate against journalists in this country. Chief of the Federation Christopher Warren has said, 'The labeling of independent journalists as being politically aligned in such a politically fragile environment like Sri Lanka is a particularly worrisome and dangerous business.'
It indeed becomes dangerous business when persons begin to incite the public against certain individuals and organisations by branding them as traitors and treacherous enemies of the country without making specific allegations against them. The mere expression of views different from those of these accusers is sufficient for them to mount vitriolic public outbursts against them.
The present expression of concern from the IFJ has been prompted by allegations of supporting and spying for the LTTE by some journalists attached to state and other media organizations. At a media briefing on Wednesday, President of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association Sanath Balasuriya disclosed the charges and threats made against some journalists attached to Lake House following their visit to Kilinochchi and meeting LTTE Political Wing leader S.P.Thamilselvan.
Lake House journalist Balasuriya has said that on hearing the news that Tamil journalists attached to state media institutions had been ordered by the LTTE to vacate those places, a group of five journalist associations wrote to Thamilselvan protesting against the alleged order. In response to that protest, Thamilselvan had invited the journalists group to meet him. It was on that invitation that the group had visited Kilinochchi, he has said. This meeting, Balasuriya and other journalists of this group said, had prompted some politicians particularly JVP MP Wimal Weerawansa to accuse some unnamed Lake House journalists of spying for the Tiger organisation. The Journalists challenge Weerawansa to make these accusations outside parliament and to name those journalists said to be spying for the LTTE.
We join these journalists in requesting Weerawansa and other politicians to make specific charges against these suspected journalists thus making it possible for the authorities to take action against them on grounds of conspiracy against the nation. There may be some among the fraternity of journalists and those identifying themselves as journalists who indulge in all forms of wrongdoing ' as it is the same in the case of other professions.
However, true and genuine journalists, as those belonging to a special and honoured profession, are men and women of integrity and high repute. Their love for the land of their birth is as strong as that of those proclaiming their patriotism from rooftops and screaming at the top of their voices. Their concern, however, for humanity, in whatever part of the world they are domiciled, is of a high degree and they abhor narrow divisions promoted and propagated for selfish gains. Their efforts are directed to the construction in this land of a truly democratic society in which all citizens could live with honour and equality.
As those giving effect to the cherished right to freedom of expression incorporated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they are hospitable to diverse opinions on issues of public interest and concern, even if such views run counter to their own, and facilitate their expression. Although they differ in certain political views, attitudes and approaches, their common goal of pursuing the country`s well-being and people`s welfare remains the same.
It is, therefore, unfortunate that some politicians, who seem to claim absolute perfection to their own views and have supreme contempt to those differing from them in views and policies, have resorted to training their guns on journalists without making specific charges or naming persons targeted by them.
If those journalists who visited Kilinochchi were on a secret mission to betray the country to the LTTE, then they are in good company of a group of religious leaders who made a similar visit to meet Tiger leaders. These politicians who denounce efforts made by well-meaning persons to demolish barriers and bring about better understanding among conflicting groups, are the persons who make the biggest contribution to the division of this country.
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Sandman
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1390
Member Profile
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3 Jun 2006 18:52:05 GMT Report for Abuse
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Is it only the journalists who have the right to express a view, or an opinion? It is not. Every private citizen does, and the right to express an opinion is a fundamental right which does not arise from belonging to a profession.
In Sri Lanka, like in many other countries, journalism appears to be going nowhere in a hurry. The 'journalistic freedom' has become something that is abused vertically and horizotally by idiots calling themselves journalists.
These so called journalists went to the wanni on a mission kept largely secret, the lack of transparency in which raises questions in fair minded citizens, and opens speculation on all possibilities. The best defense usually is to be completely in the clear, and not have any hidden putrid agendas. |
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