Watchdogs say threatening journalists would not help public

A group called "Ravana brigade" has threatened all Tamil journalists working in state media to immediately resign from their positions.

The statement issued on World Press Freedom Day, 03 May, has urged Tamil journalists to leave their jobs in response to attacks on pro-LTTE Tamil media.

Tamil Tigers might have wanted to get Tamil journalits out of state media, according to some analysts.

Free Media Movement (FMM), Sri Lanka Professional Journalists' Association (SLPJA), Media Workers Trade Union Federation (MWTUF) and Sri Lanka Muslim Journalists’ Organisation (SLMJO) have stressed theimportance to allow journalists carry out their duty ‘especially under current situation’.

Two media workers were killed and three injured in an attack on Uthayan newspaper office in Jaffna on Tuesday night.

The watchdogs said those concerned should exert pressure on the authorities to create ‘independent and public service environment’ at state run media institutions, than threatening journalists.

Sri Lankan public’s freedom of information would be severely restricted due to this kind of threats, they warned.