Inability to engage in media work with freedom because of the constant threats and intimidation
Batticaloa District Journalist Vs. Mr. Shakthivel (40) has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
He has filed four separate complaints calling for journalists to be allowed to work independently.
Mr. Shakthivel, a resident of Wannier Road, Kaludawalai, Batticaloa, had stated in his first complaint that he had been threatened by an officer of the CID.
Commenting on the incident, he said, “An officer of the CID called me and threatened that I had published a story about him and that others would inquire about him.” That is.
He has filed the second complaint against former Government Agent PMS. Is against Charles. He had lodged a complaint with the Batticaloa Police Headquarters against the Government Agent for publishing false news on websites. “I was questioned by the police,” he said. This incident happened in 2016.
In the third complaint, he said, “The Batticaloa Media Center threatened me with a pamphlet containing my photograph.” He said that it had happened on 20.11.2020 and that he had lodged a complaint with the Batticaloa Police.
He said in his fourth complaint,
On 23.01.2020, 7 journalists including myself were threatened with death by publishing pamphlets from the Batticaloa Media Center office located in the Batticaloa Central Bus Stand building. A complaint has been lodged with the Batticaloa Police in this regard.
Who made this threat? Why did they do that? Through this complaint, he calls for legal action to be taken against them.
He further points out that he is constantly receiving such threats that he is unable to continue his media activities.
He called on the Human Rights Commission, media organizations and the security forces to come forward to provide adequate protection to journalists as such issues continue to arise when public statements are brought to the fore.
– Batticaloa Journalist V. Shakthivel
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