JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 29, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channel
Several journalists were assaulted while covering the court appearance of the Chief of Defense Staff Ravindra Wijegunaratne at the Fort Magistrate’s Court, Colombo, Sri Lanka on November 28.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Free Media Movement (FMM), Sri Lanka in strongly condemning the attack on the journalists and demands immediate action by the authorities to arrest and punish the attackers.
Several photojournalists and cameramen who were at the court to cover the case were attacked by several men who arrived on motorcycles. The journalists were also threatened by the group not to record or take photographs of Wijegunarathne.
Indika Handuwala, a photojournalist with The Sunday Morning newspaper, was assaulted when he attempted to take a photograph of Wijegunaratne leaving court by his security. They also attempted to push other journalists aside, and an officer punched Handuwala in the chest. Police on duty at the court had then detained the security officer who assaulted Handuwala and recorded a statement over the incident.
Wijeguneratne appeared in court after warrants for his arrest were issued. He is accused of protecting the main suspect, a naval intelligence officer who allegedly murdered 11 young men in 2009. The court remanded him in custody until December 5.
The commanding officer in the Sri Lankan Navy Wijeguneratne, in December 2016, assaulted Roshan Gunasekera, a local correspondent for The Island and Divaina dailies, while the journalist was reporting navy action to open the Hambontota port blocked by protesting port workers. Wijeguneratne apologized for his actions after a judiciary decision.
C Dodawatta, the FMM convener, said: “In a democratic society, it is vital to hold professional journalistic reporting which is a right without constraints to a journalist. The authorities should refrain from violating such democratic rights and enabling an environment for such criminal acts. The FMM urges all relevant authorities to conduct a special investigation and expedite a fair trial to protect the dignity and enhance the safety of professional journalists.”
The IFJ said: “The IFJ condemns the assault on journalists in the Colombo court premises. The journalists were performing their professional responsibilities of collecting information of public interest and attack on them is a violation of their rights and press freedom. The IFJ demands that the culprits be arrested and punished, and the authorities ensure that such an incident does not happen in future.” – IFJ media release
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.