Sri Lanka journalism 'under threat'

[Adsos Letter]

By Saroj Pathirana
BBC Sinhala service


A spate of attacks on reporters, threats from unidentified groups and the murder of a leading newspaper editor are all jeopardising the future of journalism in Sri Lanka.

Many bright young students say they fear taking up journalism as a career choice in the island nation and a number of experienced journalists have already left the country because of threats to their lives.

The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) group has called on the authorities to take steps to end the prevailing climate of fear caused by "government cronies increasing their pressure".

The government has also been criticised by the International Press Freedom Mission, which in a report on Wednesday condemned its "inaction and failure" to take attacks against reporters seriously.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7842975.stm