Suppression of web-journalists – An attempt to create an information monopoly

Thursday, 02 October 2014 

 

Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) is deeply concerned about the recommencement of the suppression of media in the run up to the presidential nomination 2015. The most recent incident of the attack on expression is the obstruction of a workshop for web journalists on cyber security which was to be held on September 28, 2014 at Negombo.

Around 20 web journalists, representing all leading websites operating from Sri Lanka, were to take part in this workshop. However due to pressure applied by Negombo Police and Police HQ to the hotel in which the event was to take place; the workshop had to be cancelled fearing repercussions and security. Same tactics were used in previous occasions as well.
CaFFE sees this attack on web journalists as a part of a broader plan to cow the political opposition and dissenting voices into submission before the crucial presidential election in 2015. By suppressing web journalists the government will be able minimize the flow of sensitive information to a significant number of people, especially the youth, thus being able to create a monopoly of information.

In the last few years we have noted that it is often new media and social media that pick up issues and create a public opinion on sensitive issues. The recent brutal assault of a woman in Ratnapura by a policeman is a fine example of this. Earlier during the Uva Provincial Council elections, it was web based news sites that first carried CaFFE’s images of unmarked vehicles that were electioneering. News websites feed news to social media, even stories of banned websites reach massed through this mechanism. Thus they also assist mainstream media to push the limits of their reporting. CaFFE believes that web journalists have made a vital contribution to the free flow of information and have created a platform for dissenting voices.

Thus we see this obstruction as an attack on freedom of expression enshrined in our constitution and a part of post-election violence and harassment that has evolved into pre presidential election violence and harassment. Although elections are the ultimate expression of political rights of people, ensuring freedom of expression and the right to information has great significance on how people vote. CaFFE believes that if freedom of expression is not ensured, there can’t be a free and fair elections. CaFFE urges the relevant authorities to assure that journalists can improve their skills and become better at their craft.