The Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU) has issued a press release expressing concern to the government and relevant authorities regarding the recent legal harassment and restrictions targeting media professionals and media institutions.
Media Statement (FMETU)
2025/01/24
Protect Media Freedom: Address the Growing Repression Against Journalists
The Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions (FMETU) expresses deep concern over the recent incidents of repression, legal harassment, and restrictions targeting media professionals and institutions. We urge the government to immediately safeguard media freedom and ensure journalists can perform their duties without fear or interference.
Judicial Harassment Through the Online Security Act
FMETU notes with alarm the court order obtained by the Hiru Media Network on January 9 under the contentious Online Security Act against the News Center website. The court order, which prohibited the publication of a statement by Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage, highlights the misuse of a repressive legal framework. Despite repeated calls for its repeal, the government has continued to uphold the Online Security Act, weaponizing it against media organizations.
Four journalists from the News Center summoned to appear before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court on January 23, could not present their case due to the absence of the Magistrate, delaying proceedings until January 28. This constitutes judicial harassment and demonstrates the misuse of legislation to silence independent media voices.
Continued Repression of Journalist Shashi Punyamoorthy, Batticaloa
The FMETU is deeply troubled by the continued harassment of journalist Shashi Punyamoorthy, whose work was previously obstructed under the previous government. On January 22, when the case against him related to a September 8, 2023 protest in Batticaloa was taken up, police obtained an open warrant for his arrest and a foreign travel ban from the Eravur Magistrate’s Court.
The charges stem from his reporting on a protest during former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to Batticaloa. Journalist Punyamoorthy is now unable to return to the area due to police pressure and targeting by influential groups. This underscores a troubling continuity in repression against journalists between successive governments.
Criminalization of Reporting: The Case of Udayajeeva Ekanayake
The FMETU condemns the summoning of Udayajeeva Ekanayake, news editor of Aruna newspaper (affiliated with the Derana Media Network), to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on January 20. This was based on a complaint by Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala over a news item that misrepresented the Minister’s statement.
Despite the publication issuing a correction and apology, the CID was still involved, setting a dangerous precedent of police interference in journalistic matters. Mistakes in news reporting can and should be addressed through corrections and ethical accountability, not police investigations. Such practices threaten to create a culture of fear among journalists and media outlets, discouraging critical reporting.
Escalating Repression Amid Delayed Justice
These incidents are occurring in a context where legal proceedings related to the murders and torture of journalists, including Keith Noyahr and Lasantha Wickramatunga, are being expedited. While progress on justice for slain journalists is welcome, it is contradictory and deeply troubling to see the government simultaneously resorting to judicial and legal mechanisms to suppress media freedom.
FMETU strongly emphasizes that media freedom is fundamental to a democratic society. The government has a duty to uphold a free and independent media environment, where reporting is not criminalized. Legal and judicial instruments must not be exploited to harass journalists or silence dissenting voices.
We call on the government to:
- Repeal the Online Security Act and any other laws that undermine press freedom.
- End the judicial harassment and targeting of journalists through legal proceedings.
- Cease the misuse of police and judicial mechanisms to suppress reporting.
- Create a culture of accountability for state officials and institutions targeting journalists.
FMETU remains committed to protecting the rights of media workers in Sri Lanka and ensuring that they can operate without fear of reprisal. We urge the government to take immediate and meaningful action to safeguard media freedom and uphold democratic values.
Tharindu Uduwaragedara
National Organizer
Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions (FMETU)
