Journalism is a dangerous vocation today. When a journalist leaves his home it is uncertain whether he will return home safely. His wife and children live in great anxiety. Within the last one and a half years, 5 journalists were killed. With the escalation of violence following the war, Tamil journalists are subject to threats to their lives.

Last Tuesday, Nadaraja Kurubaran, News Producer of Suriyan FM radio service was abducted from Galkissa by a group of unknown persons. On hearing his abduction, all sections of the media, civil societies and the diplomatic circles condemned the abduction and appealed to the President and the IGP to ensure his release.The media people on the initiatives of the Free Media Movement staged a protest rally opposite the Colombo railway station. On Wednesday, Kurubaran was released.

We witness an awareness among the media men and civil society to jealously guard the freedom of the press. It is undoubtedly true that it was the solidarity expressed by the media people and the civil society that led to the safe release of Kurubaran.

On being released, Kurubaran told his listeners over the radio that his abductors told him before the release that their objective had been realized. We must find out what their motive was.

An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo

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