Summoning journalists to CID blow to media freedom: Opposition Leader

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said that a severe blow had been dealt to media freedom by summoning the editors of The Island, “Divaina” and “Lankadeepa” newspapers and several senior journalists attached to those newspapers to the CID.

Premadasa said that the clause 14 (1) of the Constitution clearly spelt out the freedom of expression and no one could threaten the media in a democratic country.

The Global Human Rights Charter, UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the EU Covenant on Human Rights had clearly recognised the freedom of expression and right of expression as a right of all citizens, he said.

The media had a responsibility to expose corruption and no one has the right to summon journalists to the CID and question, threaten them or exert undue pressure on them, he said.

The CID had no right to threaten or summon media personnel when the Right to Information Act was fully enforced or even when it was not, Premadasa pointed out.

The SJB Leader said that such summoning amounted to an insult to the media and a threat to the discharging of their duties.

Such actions would amount to discouraging journalists who exposed corruption and the Opposition strongly opposed such moves, he said.

The continuation of blunders committed in the past or justifying such mistakes were not accepted in a democratic society governed by values and ethics. What should be done was to learn from the past mistakes and follow the correct procedures by not repeating such mistakes, Premadasa said.

“The politics we practise in this country is not something which stifles, threatens or imposes censorship on the media, but a policy which will allow a self- controlled media”, he said.

“It has to be a sustainable policy and should not change under any circumstances. We would join hands with the media in fighting against the threats to the media and the panel of lawyers of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya is prepared to provide the required legal assistance to them”.

Premadasa said they unreservedly condemned and despised the threats against the media.