The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its
local affiliates in Sri
Lanka today launched an online campaign video
condemning the arrest and indictment of senior Tamil journalist J.S.
Tissainayagam, who passed his sixth month in jail on September
7.
All
individuals and organisations are invited to join the campaign to Stop the War
on Journalists in Sri Lanka
and watch the “Release Tissa” video at http://asiapacific.ifj.org/articles/free-tissainayagam to help generate international support to end the attacks on free media in
Sri
Lanka.
Tissainayagam was
arrested on March 7, 2008, while working as the editor of the online magazine www.outreachsl.com.
After being
held for five months without charge, Tissainayagam has been formally indicted by the High
Court of Sri Lanka under emergency and anti-terrorism laws, according to the
Free Media Movement (FMM), an IFJ
affiliate.
The
indictment reportedly refers to the printing, publishing and distribution of the
North Eastern
Monthly between June 1, 2006, and June 1, 2007; alleged
offences to do with bringing the Government into disrepute; and the violation of
2006 Emergency Regulations with regard to allegations of aiding and abetting
terrorist organisations through raising money for the
magazine.
“The
indictment against Tissainayagamin a country where journalism and
journalists already face extreme threats marks a dangerous turning point for
freedom of expression and the right to information in Sri
Lanka,” IFJ
Asia-Pacific said.
“The IFJ
joins the international press freedom community in supporting our Sri Lankan
colleagues who continue tirelessly to fight for the safety and protection of
their colleagues and friends, including Tissainayagam.”
For
further information contact IFJ
Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ
represents over 600,000 in 122 countries worldwide