FMM: Government bars photographers, censors news from war front
Government officials barred photographers from entering hospitals where soldiers injured in battle are being treated, four photo journalists told the Free Media Movement (FMM) yesterday. Hitherto, photographers have had no problems in entering hospitals to report on the casualties of war. It is highly likely that these measures have been taken after heavy losses (numbering in the hundreds) faced by the Sri Lankan Army earlier this week after fighting intensified in the North.
All government appointed military spokespersons give watered down figures of war casualties and mainstream media are compelled to report these official statistics. Only some foreign wire services and few news websites operating from Colombo reported the battle front casualties independent of government press releases. According to government military statements that have been published by media, the Army has killed more than 3,000 LTTE fighters in 2008. 3,000 was the figure given by Army Commander as the strength of the LTTE military six months ago. In Sri Lanka today the saying that first casualty of war is truth is being proved almost every day.
The FMM believes that the right of the public to know information and news related to the on going war is severely undermined by the restrictions placed on journalists. Both the LTTE and the Government do not allow independent media to cover the war in a manner that accurately reports, amongst other things, the numbers dead and injured. The FMM has demanded both sides to allow media to cover the war independently for nearly 15 years.
We urge the government and the LTTE to respect the right to information. War propaganda is not a substitute for accurate, impartial and responsible journalism that can only be ensured by supporting and strengthening media freedom and the freedom of expression in Sri Lanka.
Jay pee said,
April 25, 2008 @ 10:57 am
It is now well known that over 200 died and over 1000 injured with 600 classified as P1/P2. That means nearly 1000 out of service which is nearly 2% of the Slrilankan army and possibly 10% of the Commandos. A short and swift victory thats what the tamils need now.
2ndClassTamil said,
April 26, 2008 @ 9:16 am
It has become increasingly clear to me that the Sinhalese people do not wish to know the truth, but would prefer to bury their heads in the propaganda sh*t that is being lavishly served by the MR govt. Whether it is related to the war front efforts at FDLs or to political manoeuvrings hatched up in the South, they are not only comfortable but exceedingly pleased with the disinformation propagated globally. So, I do not think media censorship is an issue in SL. The people are fed with the sh*t they like.
How many want to know the plight of the school children traumatised by the aerial bombing or of many other atrocities perpetrated in the North by the Sinhala SLDF – not that the Tamils give two hoots whether they know or not? How many really want to know why the Tamils have taken up arms – not that the Tamils are begging them to know? But their cocooned make-believe existence getting shattered someday, unceremoniously, has to be the way truth works.
Sudalaimadan. said,
April 26, 2008 @ 11:29 am
My dear Jay pee
So you are of the opinion everything will be normal after a swift victory for the Thamils?There is absolutely no problem for the Jaffna Thamil higerups like you who have moved to greener pastures.A swift victory or slow victory is irelevant for the Jaffna Thamil diaspora atall.
But life is hell for the lesser fortunate Thamils here.
How will be life under L.T.T.E. rule throught the entire North East we can tell only if it happens.
But given their track records and that of the Jaffna Thamils there is apprehensive among the other Thamils that they will get a very very raw deal and nothing else..
Life will be relatively better under Srilankan Government rule for the other Thamils!that is the truth.
Devinda Fernando said,
May 2, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
LOL! Every time the LTTE win a solitary fight or the occasional Surprise attack everyone thinks the Tide has turned instantly for them… I think peoplelike 2ndClass think this way because they want to Believe this way…
Nothing has changed,… in the past, the LTTE have defeated our boys, driven them back, taken land from us… now the most they are able to do is to occasional heavy casualty count during offensives – and when I say occasional I really mean occasional… every 3-4 months they score a “win” but they continue to lose… That is the True Facts of the matter…