Sri Lanka: Sunday Leader editors threatened

28 Oct 2009 | Uncategorized

In April of this year, Sunday leader proprieter Lal Wickrematunge accepted an Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award on behalf of the beleaguered Sri-Lankan newspaper. Lal’s brother Lasantha was asassinated in January 2009. The Sunday Leader had been, and continues to be, a thorn in the side of President Mahinda RajapaskaMahinda Rajapaska, and his brother, defence minister Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In recent months, the paper has been sued for contempt of court after publishing a profile of the defence minister. Lawyers defending it have been described as “traitors” by government agencies.

Now the Leader reports that Frederica Jansz, Editor-in-Chief of and Munza Mushtaq, News Editor, have received threatening letters similar to those received by Lasantha weeks before his murder.

Sunday Leader death threat

In a forthright editorial, the Sunday Leader has outlined its response to the threats:

“The Sunday Leader has been a controversial newspaper because we say it like we see it: whether it be a spade, a thief or a murderer, we call it by that name. We do not hide behind euphemism. The investigative articles we print are supported by documentary evidence. We have exposed scandal after scandal, and never once in these 15 years has anyone proved us wrong or successfully prosecuted us.

“From us you learn the state of your nation, and especially its management by the people you elected to give your children a better future. Sometimes the image you see in that mirror is not a pleasant one. The journalists who hold the mirror up to you do so publicly and at great risk to themselves. That is our calling, and we do not shirk it.”

The Sunday Leader is an important independent voice in a country that is sliding into autocracy. Sri Lanka’s authorities and the international community must strive to ensure that its reporters and editors can work free from intimidation and violence.

Russia: Pro-Kremlin youth group sues four European papers

27 Oct 2009 | Index Index, minipost, News and features

The pro-Kremlin youth organisation Nashi has launched a legal offensive against four European newspapers over allegations that its activists issued death threats against a journalist. Le Monde, Le Journal du Dimanche, The Independent and Frankfurter Rundschau reported that journalist Alexandr Podrabinek was the target of intensive harassment from Nashi after he wrote an article criticising the Kremlin’s attempt to rehabilitate Russia’s Soviet past.

Nashi refused this allegation and demanded a retraction or 500,000 roubles (£10,500) from all four newspapers in damages. Podrabinek also faces legal action from a World War II veteran, Viktor Semenov, and the Communist Party for his article. (RSF/Guardian)

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Peru: TV journalist charged with inciting violence

27 Oct 2009 | Index Index, minipost, News and features

The judge of the Alto Amazonas First Mixed Tribunal has initiated criminal proceedings against Acate Geovanni, director of Radio Oriente and Channel 8 TV, alleging that his coverage of a protest by indigenous people in May incited his audience to violence and public disorder.

The incident took place in Yurimaguas in northeastern Peru during protests by indigenous communities against legislative decrees over the use of land and natural resources in the Amazonian jungle. Over 30 people were killed during the protests.

According the judge, Acate used his media outlets for political ends to cause public disorder. His lawyer believes that the case represents an attempt to criminalize the editorial stance taken by Acate. (El Comercio)

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Bangladesh: Reporter tortured by elite police unit

27 Oct 2009 | Index Index, minipost, News and features

F.M Masum, a journalist for the English-language daily The New Age, was arrested on 22 October and tortured in Dhaka. He was held by the Rapid Action Battalion, an elite crime and counterterrorist force. It is believed that his arrest and torture is in relation to The New Age having published articles linking the Rapid Action Battalion to extrajudicial executions and drug cases. Masum was freed after The New Age intervened on his behalf. (RSF)

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