The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is concerned by the increasing pressures on independent media in Sri Lanka after four senior editors resigned from the Sinhala-language Siyatha weekly on September 14.

According to the Free Media Movement (FMM), an IFJ affiliate, chief editor Manjula Wediwardana, deputy editor Athula Withanage, features editor Jayasiri Jayasekera and chief sub-editor Sisira C. Vithange said in a joint letter to Siyatha management that they were resigning due to management’s disregard for the paper’s policies on editorial independence.

The four said commercial considerations were overriding independent and accurate news coverage in the paper.

“Independent journalism is especially crucial at times of political turmoil and conflict, as the public relies on accurate and balanced reporting to be informed of safety and security issues,” IFJ Asia-Pacific said.

“At a time when the media community in Sri Lanka is contending with ongoing pressure and attacks on the media, journalists and media managers need to work cooperatively to strike a balance between maintaining profitability and upholding professional integrity and standards.”

The IFJ joins the FMM in urging Siyatha’s management to investigate the concerns of the four senior journalists and to establish a clear framework that guarantees editorial independence and the working rights of journalists.

   
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

The IFJ represents over 600,000 in 122 countries worldwide