Internews supports gathering of journalists from all parts of Sri Lanka organized by Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions
Slogan: “Rally to Safeguard Media Freedom”,
The 5th Delegates Conference of the Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU) was held on 11th September 2010 at Hotel Janaki, Colombo, Sri Lanka, with the participation of around 150 provincial Journalists from all over the country, representing their affiliated Trade Unions and district media organizations. These district Trade unions were established with the support of Internews.
They represented following mainstram state owned media organizations.
Lake House employee’s Union,
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Journalists Union,
Independent Television Network technical Offices Union,
There were also participants from each of the following district organizations .
Puthathalama District Journalists Union, Polonnaruwa District Journalists Union, Hambantota District Journalists Union, Matara District Journalists Union, Kurunegala District Journalists Union, Ampara District Journalists Union, Galle District Journalists Union.
There were a number of participants who were present at the conference as observers from the following districts.
Jafna, Mannar, Vaunia, Trincomali, Batticallow, Kegalle, Kandy, Monaragala, Colombo, Kalutara, Nuwaraeliya,
Ms Shamini Boyle , Ms Hana Ibrahim, Mr N. M. Ameen, M Muzamil, and W Wincent also took part in the conference representing the following organizations.
South Asia Free Media Association,
Muslim Media Forum,
Tamil Media Alliance,
The conference was programmed in four sessions
1st Session:
Mr Dharmasiri Lankapeli, the General Secretary of FMETU, Pathma Kankanamge from Puttalam Journalist Union, and W. Parameshwaram from Jafna Journalist Organization presided at the inaugural session.
To ceremonially inaugurate the session the invited guests, Hon Dew Gunasekara, the Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Affaires, Lakshman Kiriella, UNP MP for Kandy District, Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne the party leader of Left Liberation Front, Dharmasiri Lankapeli, General Secretary of FMETU, S.Viwekaraja from Mannar Journalists Organization, Manique Mendis from Internews and Sharmini Boyle representing SAFMA illuminated the oil lamp.
Dharmasiri Lankapeli General secretary, FMETU
In his welcome speech, Mr Dharmasiri Lankapeli highlighted the importance of journalists uniting as a strong group, capable of addressing problems faced by journalists throughout the country, such as safety and security concerns, lack of media freedom, disrespect for labour laws etc. He also mentioned the need for finding solutions for these issues within the journalistic community itself. He thanked Internews for supporting journalists in Sri Lanka over the last few years and for having extended support for this gathering.
Dew Gunasekara, Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Affaires
Addressing the conference, Minister Gunesekara pointed out the fact that media is similar to any business. Thus the state media is run in accordance with norms of the government and the private media works on their personal agendas. In such a situation free and independent media becomes a myth. He stated that on the other hand, the state media is bound by certain responsibilities and controls, while private media uses its maximum freedom. He stated that It is a fact that only 4 percent of the net profit of these private media institutes that is divided among media workers as wages. Journalists should take action and questions these issues.
Lakshman Kiriella UNP MP for the Kandy District
Addressing the gathering, Mr Kiriella explained about the significance of free media and democracy in the development of a country. Media freedom is a must to unearth rat holes in the system. Limited democracy also limits growth of a nation. He also pointed out the fact that the public expected a positive change in the system of governance and media freedom as the war came to an end last year. He concluded his speech by urging the importance for journalists to unite towards a change.
Mr.Parameshwaran of the Jaffna Journalists Association, presented a message from the President of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) JIM BOUMELHA
“I write on behalf of the International Federation of Journalists and our member unions in 130 countries around the world to congratulate delegates of FMETU on your 5th congress.
We are very proud of the commitment of your members to the cause of journalism and the work that your Federation has done over the past 12 years in the defense of the safety and social rights of Sri Lankan journalists and media workers.
Being a journalist today is full of risk. As well as being targets of physical attacks, we are subject to more undue political influence, more surveillance, and more restrictions than ever before. Our freedom of expression is also under attack resulting in widespread censorship resulting in many of our members being harassed, attacked, kidnapped or imprisoned.”
Deputy Country Director of Internews, Manique Mendis
Ms Mendis addressed the gathering, stating that as someone who started her career as a journalist, she would like to emphasize on the potential of journalists in Sri Lanka to become strong as a group and move forward without being dependent always on foreign aid. She stated that she was happy that Internews had supported Sri Lankan Journalists for so many years. As Internews was concluding it’s current phase of support to Sri lanka, it was pleased to support this gathering which brought together journalists from all over the country to unite in the common goal towards professional development .
The General Secretary responded by stating that FMETU believes that in such an atmosphere where Internews is to leave Sri Lanka , the support given by them throughout the program was highly impressive.
Linus Jayathilaka, President of United Federation Of Labour
Pointed out the role of a journalist and stated that the journalist was one of the most important members of an active labour force. He also urged the importance of addressing problems of journalists through a collective social movement without framing them within trade unions.
Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne – Leader of the Left Liberation Front
One important question that he raised was about the purpose of heading towards a monarchy, whether is to attract more foreign aid or to ensure the rights of the citizens. He also emphasized the responsibility of government to secure the lives of journalists. He suggested that an insurance scheme would address this to a certain extent.
2nd session: “Media Law and Challenges faced by journalists and civil society activists”
Conducted Ms Nimalka Fernando, eminent lawyer and human rights activist
Ms Fernando began her speech by commenting on the gender imbalance of the audience which was dominated by males. She mentioned that the audience at this gathering bore testimony to the fact that the active participation of women in the media sector in Sri Lanka was less. She also spoke about media laws and the responsibility of the civil society. It is internationally accepted that the right to information is a basic human right. Therefore journalists should have the right to report the truth to the public. If this right is disturbed, the general public should also question it, as this is not only a right of journalists, it is a right for society in general. Answering a question that a journalist raised whether they can fight for human rights through media trade unions, she said it is possible according to her opinion and that is not something against the government. She further described that it is an iconic feature of a democratic country.
She also stressed the importance of reducing the information gap between those who are aware of what’s going on and the general public. She stated that the media has a huge role to play in this context.
3rd session
Establishment of a provincial journalists’ network throughout the country.
Ranjith Gamage representing LHEU, W. Chandrapala representing Hambantota Journalists Union and General Secretary of FMETU, Dharmasiri Lankapeli presided at this session. .
The aim of this 3rd session was to discuss about establishing a provincial journalists’ network throughout the country.
The General Secretary started this session by presenting the Secretary’s report to the audience. In his speech he emphasized the fact that the only way out of the problems is to get united as trade unions. Excessive dedication, commitment and feeling for others is a must in this regard. Therefore the already established provincial trade unions must encourage others to join the network.
A lively discussion followed with suggestions, opinions and proposals where the participants were able to clear their doubts about the registration as trade unions.
The 4th session
“Media rights, ethics and Journalists Safety”
By Journalist Kamal Liyanrachchi, Chief Executive Officer,
Press Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka
Mr Liyanarachchi pointed out that in a competitive reporting environment journalists can be more effective and wield greater power by working in accordance with journalistic ethics and responsibilities. He stated that he was glad to see many journalists from all over the country united to work collectively for their professional development. He discussed at length about the prevailing risks to the safety and security of journalists and stated that it was important for journalists to be united in the face of such challenges.
As the programme concluded, the participants left for their homes in all parts of the country with new energy and motivation to adhere to better standards of professionalism and work in unity to safeguard their rights and professional credibility.
Following the event, articles on this conference were published in several newspapers highlighting the importance of such a gathering of Journalists.
