Watchdogs say Sri Lankan journalists lack professionalism due to threats and polarisation

Former military spokesman, Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe, told a gathering in London that Sri Lankan government and military are maintaining good working relationship with media personnel.

Samarasinghe, currently the Counsellor at the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, made the comments as journalists from international organisations gathered in London to access media freedom in Sri Lanka.

Lack of professionalism

Journalists and activists gathered accused Sri Lankan authorities of unofficially imposing a censorship on war-related matters.

	Government says no censorship is imposed upon the coverage of the conflict

"Every journalist who report Tamil Tigers' point of view is regarded as a terrorist," David Dadge, Deputy Director of International Press Institute (IPI), told the gathering.

Polarisation alongside ethnic lines in Sri Lankan media is another major obstacle in objective reported, he added.

Every journalist who report Tamil Tigers' point of view is regarded as a terrorist Director, International Press Institute

"I think one of the problems is there is a perception that media from the Sinhalese, English, Tamil and Muslim are actually on behalf of and for their communities," he told journalist Poopalaratnam Seevagan.

Director of Paris based World Editors Forum (WEF), Bertrand Pecquerie, said Sri Lanka journalists are prevented of being professionals due to climate of fear.

Awareness raising

"As international media personnel we need to go to Sri Lanka and help them to be more professional," he said.

I think one of the problems is there is a perception that media from the Sinhalese, English, Tamil and Muslim are actually on behalf of and for their communities Director, International Press Institute

The gathering titled "Professionalism, peace reporting and journalists' safety in Sri Lanka" was attended by international and Sri Lankan media and human rights organisations.

"Awareness raising on Sri Lankan situation was the key thing discussed," President of National Union of Journalists (NUJ), UK and Ireland, Michelle Stainstreet said.