Jaffna media situation grim in 2006

IN Media Freedom | 29/01/2007

 Source: Situation of Media and Journalism in the Jaffna Peninsula, January 2007

www.freemediasrilanka.org

·       The situation of the media and journalism in Jaffna deteriorated considerably in 2006. Six media workers have been killed since 2005. A well known journalist Nimalarajan was killed in Jaffna in 2000. Impunity remains the order of the day in Jaffna with regard to all these killings.

·       Journalists face increasing challenges in reporting killings, abductions disappearances, most of which are carried out for political and military reasons with the complicity of sections of the military. It is so bad that others shun those who have suffered the brunt of violence in their communities, in fear of being seen to be partial to and in support of the redress of human rights violations.

·       The fighting and tense situation that erupted from 11^th August 2005 paved the way for a considerable amount of journalists and media workers to leave the field. After the murder of the Managing Director of Namathu Eelanadu, the paper closed down. (The Managing Director of Namathu Eelanadu was a member of Tamil National Alliance and a former MP. It is widely believed that Tamil nationalist forces supported Namathu Eelanadu).

·       Collecting information or reports first hand or reporting about some prevailing situations is severely restricted on account of growing fears of personal security. For example, if a journalist reports the situation of shops and businesses which have been closed for long time on account of the growing violence on the ground, they may face pressure from both the Army and the LTTE.

·       Most of the tsunami reconstruction projects have been stopped due the economic embargo and the security situation. However, the relevant officials are not prepared to expose this situation, again due to fear of reprisals. Journalists are disappointed and fed up due to the attitude of relevant authorities, but in fact, both are victims of the general deterioration of ground conditions.

·       The culture of impunity and the fear psychosis combine to create a deeply disturbing context on the ground for journalists. Pursuant to any security incident, no one is ready to give the details or information regarding it, leading to a situation where rumour and speculation is rife.

·       Journalists in Jaffna are prevented from engaging in the normal practices of news gathering and photographing the events. Theirs is a diurnal struggle for news and livelihoods. On account of the delays incurred in reporting the ground situation and incidents, access, when granted, only leads to a situation wherein the journalists are too late to gather the information necessary to report in a responsible and accurate manner. 

·       The curfew and the lack of transport facilities also affect the journalists in carrying out their duties. Normal day-to-day activities in Jaffna come to an end around 4 pm. Journalists are forced to finish their work before this time, since after 4pm, they can't get the transport facilities to return home. As a result, there is a rush to get into the last bus, with delays at checkpoints common and traffic halted for military operations or security reasons, exponentially increased travel time and the burden of commuting to and from offices.

·       Queues for essential items like rice, soap, coconut oil, milk food, petrol, ceresin, mosquito coil and clearance for air or ship transport have been exacerbated after the closure of A9 route connecting the Jaffna peninsula to the rest of the island. There is no special consideration given to the media personnel in distribution of essential items.

·       Lack of communication facilities is a central obstacle for journalists in the peninsula. The office of the Sri Lanka Telecom is not willing to supply telecommunications facilities for journalists. As a result, journalists are forced to rely on mobile phones that are more expensive to use in comparison to landlines. When the Government terminated the mobile phone services in Jaffna peninsula for nearly five months till early this month, journalists were forced to travel long distances to use telephone facilities wherever it is available. On occasion, they were forced to travel through checkpoints to access communication centers. E-mail and internet facilities also restricted in the Peninsula - whenever curfews are imposed internet (cyber) cafes closed down, and cut off journalists from the rest of Sri Lanka and the world.

·       There are three newspapers published in Jaffna after the closure of Namathu Eelanaadu, and they are struggling to publish the newspapers due to the lack of newsprint and plates that are used in offset printing. Only 4 pages are published and sold for 10 rupees, with half the pages filled with advertisements. The number of copies printed has also drastically come down, due to the lack of resources. All newspapers are now only publishing 4 pages. Soon they will only be able to manage 2 pages even that  till end of February.

·       National level newspapers are not available in Jaffna except the Thinamurasu published by the EPDP (Eelam Peoples Democratic Party), a former Tamil militant movement now partner in the incumbent government.

·       There is virtually no entertainment in the form of art and cultural activity or the representation of either in the media. A civilian population denied entertainment is forced to face continuously its singular plight which is the cause of psychological trauma and the further hardening of hearts and minds between communities in the Peninsula and the rest of the country.

·       Young, courageous journalists continue to report, and consider the current situation as a challenge they need to face and overcome. However, the fear persists; they are scared to identify themselves as journalists in checkpoints and face severe reprisals if perceived to be partial to either the Army or the LTTE.