Selavkumar Nilantan was arrested by Sri Lanka police for his report on corruption. The International Federation of Journalists’ full statement against this action is below.

Batticaloa-based Tamil journalist Selvakumar Nilanthan was arrested on October 21 for his reporting on protests against alleged corrupt activity involving a local Sri Lankan government official in 2020, spending a night in an Eravur police cell. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates, the Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU), the Free Media Movement (FMM), and the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), in condemning the arrest and urging authorities to ensure the protection of Tamil journalists.

On October 21, Tamil Guardian correspondent Selvakumar Nilanthan was arrested after reporting on protests against alleged corrupt activity conducted by the Chenkalady Divisional Secretary (DS) in 2019.Nilanthan was arrested alongside two non-journalists on charges related to the obstruction of official duties.

On September 5, 2024, the Federation of Media Employees’ Union, guided by the International Federation of Journalists, presented an investigative report that covered the entire island. Journalists, media organization leaders, and intellectuals with interest in media contributed to this extensive study.

2024/06/25 Press Release:

Julian Assange’s Freedom: Another Victory in the Global Fight for Press Freedom!

The Federation of Media Employees’ Unions considers the release of journalist Julian Assange, who was effectively detained for 14 years, and his opportunity to return to his home country to live a normal life, another decisive victory in the global fight for media freedom.

The Executive Council of the International Federation of Journalists met in London last week and discussed the case of journalist Julian Assange. The Federation points out that by removing 17 of the 18 charges against Julian Assange, the American government has avoided setting a precedent that could have established journalism as a criminal offense.

IFJ President Dominique Pradalié said: “Julian Assange is free. Victory for the right to inform and to be informed. Victory for journalists around the world.”

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said “The attempted prosecution of Julian Assange cast a dark shadow over journalists, particularly those who cover national security issues. Had Assange gone to prison for the rest of his life, any reporter handed a classified document would fear facing a similar fate.”

In 2010, WikiLeaks revealed evidence of war crimes committed by the US military in Iraq. Since then, it has worked to disclose sensitive information related to various events, including the war in Afghanistan. The struggle for press freedom regarding Julian Assange and WikiLeaks for more than a decade demonstrates the risks faced by journalists. The Federation of Media Employees’ Unions strongly emphasizes the need for journalists worldwide to organize collectively to protect their rights and win such battles.

Dharmasiri Lankape                                  Tharindu Uduwaragedara

General Secretary                                                  National Organizer

077 364 1111                                                          076 434 1621

Journalist Tharindu Uduvaragedara has filed a fundamental rights petition against the Sri Lankan police against forcibly arresting, assaulting, and detaining in the police cell without treatment while returning home after reporting a protest.

He, who is currently working as the National Organizer of the Federation of Media Workers’ Unions as well as the editor of the Whatnews website, had filed the fundamental rights petition on June 12th.

Unions are a vital guarantor of human rights! Union leaders from the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), the Free Media Movement (FMM), the Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU), and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) attended an IFJ-run Union Leadership and Organising Training of Trainers (ToT) from 26 to 30 May at Kithul Kanda, Padukka, out of Colombo City, Sri Lanka.

The training, attended by 16 representatives is designed to build effective leadership and campaigning strategies when organising for power and will be followed by further training sessions run by attendees.

The Norsk Journalistlag and Union To Union supported and funded this activity.  This workshop was made possible and Organised by IFJ Asia Pacific.

On the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the Council of Global Unions to reaffirm its commitment to building respect and dignity for all workers, including LGBTI+ comrades.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), celebrated on 17 May, is an opportunity for the trade union movement across the globe to (re)affirm our commitment to solidarity with LGBTI+ people and communities increasingly under siege. No comrade should be left behind in our fight for equality, justice and freedom for all.

The International Federation of Journalists and its affiliated media organizations declared February 26 as World Solidarity Day to protest the killing of Palestinian journalists and civilians by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. “Stop Israel’s Genocide of Journalists and Civilians Immediately!” This Palestine Solidarity Day was announced under the slogan.

Ms. Elizabeth M. Allen, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, State Department of the United States of America, visited Sri Lanka and delivered a speech on “Global Media Space and Its Impact on Democracy” followed by an engaged panel discussion organized by the Sri Lanka Press Institutes.

In that discussion, Dharmasiri Lankapeli, General Secretary of the Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions Sri Lanka, raised a question as follows from her.

“The International Federation of Journalists has organized a worldwide protest campaign these days with its affiliates to pressure the US government to release Julian Assange and drop all charges. They say that this is a serious issue and affects the freedom of expression in the world. We as journalists worldwide believe it is also part of freedom of Expression. What do you think?”

The answer given by Ms. Elizabeth M. Allen can be watched in below attached video.

Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, at least 67 journalists and media workers have been killed, several have been injured and others are missing. 

The full report issued by the IFJ is below.

In the early hours of 7 October, Hamas launched a horrific, unprecedented attack in southern Israel. In response, Israel retaliated with airstrikes over the besieged Gaza Strip and formally declared war on Hamas. On the night of 13 October, the Israeli army instructed more than one million Palestinians in the north of the Gaza Strip to move to the south of the territory, in anticipation of bombing and possible invasion. The loss of life on both sides is already tragic. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has concern for the welfare of civilians and journalists alike.