Having listened to this statement, we wonder what the PM means by Media Freedom. It is true that he has the Sunday news papers that are critical of the government in mind. The right to express views freely is one thing and the threats faced by the media men are another matter.

The role of media men in disseminating news is a precarious task globally. Sri Lanka is ranked as one of the countries that are dangerous to the media people. As far as the Tamil media are concern it is much more insecure. Within the last two months two young media men have been killed. Even the others who are presently functioning do so with the sense of fear.

Thinakkural journalist K.P.Moha has been harassed on a number of occasions. Last week acid was thrown at him in a crowded area in the capital and he is receiving treatment at the hospital. That media men have to stage demonstrations protesting against threats to their colleagues and to preserve the Freedom of the press is indicative of the crisis faced by the media. Most of politicians consider journalist as their enemies.

The Prime minister must understand that criticisms that certain Sunday news papers make is not indicative of press freedom. It is the duty of the government to ensure an atmosphere in which the media people can perform their functions without fear.

It is meaningless for the government to boast about the media freedom without creating a congenial atmosphere.

Let the Prime Minister tell us how many of the perpetrators of violence against the media men have been brought to book?

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

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