Watchdogs concerned on the acute shortage of printing material in Jaffna

In an open letter addressed to the ambassadors of Sri Lanka's major donors, an umbrella group of international media watchdogs has expressed serious concern over the acute shortage of printing material and ink in Jaffna peninsular.

The International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Sri Lanka is a groups of 12 organisations including UNESCO and IFJ.

FMM report

"According to our reports, all three newspapers in the city now print only four pages and print runs have also been drastically reduced," the statement said.

If the security forces do not include printing paper and ink to the list of supplies that can be taken to Jaffna, they are effectively killing the Tamil media in the north RSF

Paris based Reporters Without borders (RSF) said the shortage is a strong barrier to the freedom of information of the people in the North.

Jaffna's most popular newspaper, Uthayan, was forced to drastically reduced the number of copies as a result, RSF added.

"If the security forces do not include printing paper and ink to the list of supplies that can be taken to Jaffna, they are effectively killing the Tamil media in the north," RSF spokesman Vincent Brossel told BBC Sandeshaya.

Impunity and fear

A Colombo based media watchdog has also expressed concern over the press freedom in the peninsular.

In a media release issued last week, Free Media Movement (FMM) reminded that killers of the BBC journalist Mylvagaman Nimalarajan are still at large after six years.

The International Mission ARTICLE 19 FreeVoice International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) International Media Support (IMS) International Press Institute (IPI) International News Safety Institute (INSI) Reporters Without Borders (RSF) South Asia Press Commission (SAPC) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) World Association of Newspapers (WAN) World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC)

Jaffna based Namatha Ealanadu newspapaer was forced to close down after its managing director was gunned down last year, according to FMM.

It said the journalists in the peninsular are prevented from carrying out normal duties and communication facilities with the peninsular have been cut off since violence escalated in August last year.

"The culture of impunity and the fear psychosis combine to create a deeply disturbing context on the ground for journalists," FMM statement said.

The International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Sri Lanka have reminded the authorities that there are no radio or TV stations in Jaffna.

"We respectfully call on you to do everything possible to enable the delivery of newsprint to Jaffna so that the city's publications are able to carry out their vital activity of informing the public," the statement added.