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IFJ 14 May 2021
Blocking media access and rights in Northern Sri Lanka
The people of the remote island of Iranaitheevu in Northern Sri Lanka have an important story to tell the world. But journalists are being denied access, writes Ruki Fernando. Map of island of Iranaitheevu.
Article 14 (1) (a) of the Sri Lankan constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, including publication, and article 14 (1) (h) guarantees freedom of movement. While Article 15 specifies that these can be restricted for limited number of specified reasons on the condition that such restrictions are prescribed by law.
As a writer to newspapers and websites, as well as being an educator and speaker at forums related to rights and reconciliation, the necessity of access and travel for my work is a critical feature of my work. However, I have encountered arbitrary restrictions on movement several times in the past, mostly in the former war affected Northern and Eastern provinces. Such restrictions negatively impact my freedom of speech, expression and publication of critical information.
ColomboWesternSri-lankaKilinochchi-districtNorthernKilinochchiMulankavilSri-lankanIranaimaatha-nagarGovernment-information-departmentSri-lankan-navyArea-commander-for-the-navyToday is World Press Freedom Day with the
theme “Information as a Public Good”
“
Stifling the peaceful expression of legitimate dissent today can only result, inexorably, in the catastrophic explosion of violence some other day
.
Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, SC 468/92
On April 30, when the Indian Supreme Court was hearing a case which it had initiated by itself (Suo Motto) to examine issues relating to the management of COVID-19, one of the judges is reported to have stated that, “We want to make it very clear that if citizens communicate their grievance on social media and internet then it cannot be said its wrong information. We don’t want any clampdown of information. We will treat it as a contempt of court if such grievances is considered for action”.
Sri-lankaPolikandyNorthernMaharagamaWesternPottuvilEasternIndiaColomboRupavahiniWashingtonUnited-statesA journalist and a camera operator wear personal protective equipment amidst the surge in COVID-19 infections, at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, 20 April 2021, Ganesh Chandra/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images April 2021 in Asia-Pacific: A free expression roundup produced by IFEX's regional editor Mong Palatino, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.
Addressing India’s COVID-19 surge is made more difficult by authorities censoring information. Myanmar’s junta has resorted to publishing wanted lists, targeting journalists. A satirical playlist led to the brief incarceration of an artist in Malaysia. And Hong Kong’s first conviction around a violent attack during the 2019 protests? An investigative reporter.
IndiaHong-kongMalaysiaVietnamRepublic-ofAustraliaXinjiangJiangxiChinaThailandHo-chi-minh-cityH-chíinh