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Sri Lanka's presidential candidates urged to protect media freedom

The silencing of those who speak up against the powerful has continued with impunity
Sri Lanka's presidential candidates urged to protect media freedom

Sri Lankan media activists stage a protest vigil by holding photos of killed and disappeared journalists at the 'Black January' protest in 2018 at Lipton Circle in Colombo. (ucanews photo)

Published: November 06, 2019 10:13 AM GMT
Updated: November 06, 2019 10:14 AM GMT

Journalists in Sri Lanka are challenging candidates in the upcoming presidential election to finally stop paying lip service to media freedom and protect those working to “keep people honest.”

Duminda Sampath, president of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, has been the most vocal critic of those in powerful positions, highlighting that violence and murders of journalists in the South Asian nation had continued with impunity for several years.

Journalists were struggling to ensure that the media community had the freedom it needed to work freely, he said.

The country’s presidential election will be held on Nov. 16 and a record of 35 candidates have filed nominations to stand. Sampath urged them all to protect media freedom and journalists’ rights.

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