Opposition Leader calls on PM to end witch-hunt against journalists

Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa told parliament yesterday that the government’s witch-hunt of journalists using parliamentary privileges would result in erosion of media freedom in the country.

Premadasa criticised the government for summoning a group of Neth FM journalists before the Parliament Privileges Committee over allegations raised by Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Bandula Gunawardena.

Minister Gunawardena has complained that his Parliamentary privileges have been violated due to an alleged false news report broadcast by Neth FM.

Premadasa said that it was a breach of media freedom. He called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to end the practice of harassing journalists on the pretext of investigating breaches of parliamentary privileges.