Green light for Channel 4 director to cover CHOGM?
July 16, 2013
The Government yesterday sought to put to rest a controversy over international media access for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November, with the Media Minister, who also leads the Cabinet committee coordinating summit media coverage, Keheliya Rambukwella saying any foreign journalist who falls within the Commonwealth guidelines for accreditation would be permitted into the country.
Channel 4 Director Callum Macrae and former BBC Journalist Frances Harrison have expressed concern that they would be barred from CHOGM coverage due to their controversial portrayal of the final phase of the Sri Lankan conflict.
“Media accreditation will be done exactly like it was done in Perth in 2011,” Rambukwella said, adding that there was a set of Commonwealth guidelines for accrediting journalists to cover the event that the Sri Lankan Government would follow when allowing access to the summit.
“Sri Lanka doesn’t expect any special treatment when it comes to the accreditation process,” the Media Minister said.
Asked by journalists specifically if Macrae would be permitted into the country if his application adhered to the Commonwealth guidelines on media registration, Rambukwella replied: “Of course.”
The controversy over sections of the foreign press perceived as being ‘hostile’ to the ruling Government in Sri Lanka being barred access to Colombo to cover CHOGM intensified after one of the country’s top diplomats vowed to prevent Macrae and others from obtaining access into the country in November.
SL should give VISA to International media - UK
British Govt says that it is expecting that the Sri Lankan Govt would issue VISA for all the international journalists who has obtained permission to cover the Commonwealth heads of state summit which will be held in Sri Lanka.
Deputy minister for foreign and commonwealth affairs Mr. Alasteir Bert mad this comment made this comment in a discussion with the BBC Sandeshaya.
Meanwhile producers of the "No fire Zone" movie accuse that the Sri Lankan Consul General in Sidney Australia, Bandula Jayasekara has threatened the film directer that he would not be allowed to travel to Sri Lanka during the Summit.
Minister Bert said that he has heard about many other journalists who claim that they would not be given VISA to enter Sri Lanka.
Minister Bert said that he has heard about many other journalists who claim that they would not be given VISA to enter Sri Lanka.
He however says that it is the responsibility of the commonwealth secretariat's office to grant permission to journalists to cover the event.
He said the he hopes that the journalist would be allowed not only to cover the event, but also to travel in the countryside free of barricade.
He emphasized that it is very important that the SL Govt definitely issue visa to any person who has been granted permission to report the event by the Commonwealth secretary, despite whatever the normal procedure is.
But when asked about what can be done if such a thing happens, Minister said that he cannot comment on things which has not yet happened.
Pointing out that despite the few atrocities made upon some British citizens, Sri Lanka is a safe passage to tourists and businessmen, Minister Bert says that the tourists must compulsorily refer to the instructions given to them by the Ministry before engaging in SL tours.
Pointing out that despite the few atrocities made upon some British citizens, Sri Lanka is a safe passage to tourists and businessmen, Minister Bert says that the tourists must compulsorily refer to the instructions given to them by the Ministry before engaging in SL tours.
-BBC Sandeshaya
