Press Freedom Day is a day of significance to the media people all over the world. The Press Freedom Day was declared by United Nations Organization on 3 may 1991 to ensure the freedom of the press and to ensure the safety and protection of journalists.

Freedom of the press is a fundamental right. It is a human right that guarantees all other freedoms that humanity cherishes. This freedom has been under threat in many parts of the world.

“Press Freedom, safety of journalists and impunity” is the theme of the Press Freedom Day this year. According to the statistics of the Committee to Protect Journalists based in New York, 500 media men lost their lives, while performing their duties during the period between January, 1992 and August, 2006. 71.4 % of them had been killed. 18.4% of them lost their lives because they were caught in the cross fire. 10 % of them lost their lives, when they went to collect news under dangerous circumstances.

As far as violence against journalists is concerned, many international organizations that voice for the freedom of the press, have expressed serious concern abut the threats to free press freedom in Sri Lanka.

May journalists have been killed in Sri Lanka for articulating strongly against human rights violations with courage and about the national crisis in the country. Even this week Rajiv Varman, who served for the Uthayn, a Tamil daily based in Jaffna, was murdered. There has been no proper investigation into the killings of journalists in this country. The culprits have not been brought to book.

As far as Tamil journalists are concerned, the threats they face are unique. Most of them have sought asylum in foreign countries. Even the Tamil journalists, who remain in Sri Lanka and perform their duties face serious threats. Media organizations conduct demonstrations agitating for press freedom.

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

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