Press freedom, political repression and the spread of ‘terror’
February 18, 2015
Isis fighters, pictured on a militant website
The anti-LTTE war in Sri Lanka took a considerable toll on local media freedom. Between 2005 and 2014, national security was seen by the relevant government as an over-riding consideration in running the country and the media were expected to operate with this in mind. Since defeating the LTTE militarily took prime place in state affairs, media freedom and other liberties came to be seen as disposable and inessential.