RSF says ministers, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and LTTE have threatened press freedom

Reporters Without borders (RSF) says Sri lanka authorities have vowed to wipe out terrorism, "at the price of appalling human rights violations if necessary".

The RSF annual report on press freedom says the media in Sri Lanka has affected by the security forces strategy of 'sowing terror' in Tamil areas in their fight against the LTTE.

The report accused two ministers: Douglas Devananda and Mervyn Silva of terrorising journalists.

'Gang leader' minister

"The EPDP Tamil militia have been implicated in many violent episodes," the statement said on the news blackout of the northern Sri Lankan town of Jaffna.

The spinelessness of some Western countries and major international bodies is harming press freedom RSF Secretary General, Robert Menard

Minister Silva, accused by RSF as 'behaving like a gang leader', is accused of threatening and assaulting journalists at a state-owned media institution on 27 December.

RSF says the Tamil population in Sri Lanka are deprived of getting independent news on the war situation.

Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, was also singled out for strong criticism by the report.

LTTE threats

Both the government and the LTTE are accused of not allowing the journalists to the conflict zone.

	Ministers Devananda and Mervyn Silva are accused of threatening journalists

"The LTTE increased their surveillance of Tamil journalists, threatening those who dare to criticise them openly," the statement said.

The threat on journalists by the LTTE rebels, the statements says, is no different to that from the government.

Tamil Tiger intelligence service often summon Tamil journalists in order to get their reports published, the statement said.

Worldwide incidents

Worldwide, lack of public commitment for press freedom is a serious concern, the watchdog said.

The LTTE increased their surveillance of Tamil journalists, threatening those who dare to criticise them openly RSF statement

"The spinelessness of some Western countries and major international bodies is harming press freedom," RSF secretary-general Robert Menard said.

The report accuses world leaders and the United Nations of failing to exert pressure on the countries where journalists are under serious threat.

The annual report includes surveys on press freedom situation in 98 countries, worldwide.