The Free Media Movement (FMM) has called on the Sri Lankan government to restore licences of the ABC Radio. In a statement the FMM said that the arbitrary action of the Government in suspending the five channels of the ABC Radio Network could set a dangerous precedent for undermining the freedom of expression in Sri Lanka.

Condemning government’s step in this regard the FMM in a statement said that Government should have conducted a proper and independent investigation of the actions of the ABC network with regard to the broadcast in question and taken appropriate corrective action without closing down an entire network depriving the public of information and other programmes offered by these radio stations.

It underlined the principles of social responsibility of the media and urges media personnel and organizations to be more careful and sensitive in publicizing incidents without complete verification.

The statement also stated, “The FMM is deeply concerned about this drastic action by the government not only because of what it indicates about the state of media freedom in this country, but also because of the impact such a sudden closure can have on the over 300 persons who are employed by the ABC radio network”.

“The reason given by the government for this drastic action is related to a news item broadcast by the ABC channels regarding a suspected LTTE attack on Ranminitenna, a village in Tissamaharama in the south of Sri Lanka. The ABC network promptly corrected their news story as soon as they learnt that no such attack had transpired”.

“In its communiqué to the ABC network, the Ministry has said that this action was being taken because the news item broadcast by the network had caused panic in the area”.

“According to FMM information, a number of other channels too have broadcast similar news items but the government has singled out the ABC net work for punishment”.

“The radio stations run by the ABC network have a reputation for broadcasting news that is critical of the existing situation. Its Tamil channel Sooriyan FM is one of two privately owned Tamil language radio channels in Sri Lanka . Sooriyan News director N. Kirupharan was abducted and released after 13 hours on 28th Aug 2006. In early 2006 the ABC network was warned by senior members of the government against broadcasting voice cuts of LTTE leaders”.

“We also call on the Ministry of Media and Information to adopt a more democratic and consultative stand in dealing with media personnel and institutions in the broader interests of democratic practice in Sri Lanka”.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed