SRI LANKA: Attacks on Sri Lankan Human Rights Defenders, NGOs & opposition politicians through the Independent Television Network (ITN)
June 4, 2013
State media (newspaper, TV and radio) in Sri Lanka has been used often to attack Human Rights Defenders HRDs in Sri Lanka in the last few years. The ITN had started a fresh round of attacks in May this year. Those targeted have included prominent heads of NGOs, lawyers, journalists, clergy, academics and activists in exile, the leader of the main opposition party, the United National Party (UNP), other MPs of the party and smaller opposition parties and their MPs and leaders. They have been branded as supporters of terrorists and of being part of western conspiracies, working to get foreign money and overthrow the Government.
According to its website, ITN is a "public company under State jurisdiction".(http://www.v2.itn.lk/?page id=1089) ITN is known to be controlled by the Government and not broadcast any news critical of the present Government.
These accusations were centred around three main issues:
