Sri Lanka and Russia still Witness Violence Against Journalists

Jakarta, InfoPublik - Sri Lanka Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Karunarathna Paranawithana said his country is committed in solving violence cases encountered by journalists in the country.

"The court has brought the cases of violence against journalists to trial in a transparent manner," he told the discussion on “Journalists' Safety and Tackling Impunity” at the said at the World Press Freedom Day’s (WPFD) at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Wednesday (5/3).

The discussion session was a part of the WPFD 2017 series of events and was attended by national and international journalists and media practitioners.

According to Karunarathna, the Sri Lankan government encouraged civil society to actively express the freedom of speech.

"Slowly but sure, we are optimistic that the condition of  Sri Lankan press will be better and violence against journalist will be no more,” he added.

Meanwhile, the discussion forum also heard Russian Human Rights Watch Director Tanya Lokshina stated that Russian journalist remain facing injustice and violence.

"Law enforcement on these cases is not optimal,” she explained, adding that her institution has  cooperated and coordinated with the European Union (EU), and the United Nations (UN).

"Many journalists are detained in Russia, we need a strong commitment to protect them," she said.

Furthermore she added that in the southern part of Russia such as in Chechnya,  a number of journalists have become victims of violence.

"Certain parties have conducted attacks against journalists," she said. (Translator: Rina Alexandra)