SJB rally Journalists’ rights denied on Workers’ Day

• Journalists prevented from covering the rally
• MP Mujibur Rahman requests media access, but organisers push journalists behind
• Photographers and videographers strictly not given entry

By YOHAN PERERA   

Journalists who arrived at P. D. Sirisena Ground, Maligawatte, yesterday were met with restrictions that prevented them from carrying out their duties of covering the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) May Day rally in the usual manner.

Print journalists were not permitted to remain near the speakers to record speeches. While the Convener of the Samagi Ekabadda Sevaka Sangamaya, Ananda Palitha, was presenting the party’s May Day proposals, print journalists were instructed to move towards the rear. Organisers maintained their position despite the journalists’ explanations that they needed to remain in front to record the speeches.   

A complaint was raised with MP Mujibur Rahman, one of the key organisers of the rally. He instructed other organisers to allow journalists to continue their work; however, junior organisers did not comply. “I see some senior journalists here. Why don’t you allow them to carry out their duty?” the MP was heard saying, but organisers did not alter their stance.   

Lankadeepa photographer Lahiru Harshana stated that he was not allowed to take his camera accessories inside. “I was asked not to take my camera accessories, and then I asked them as to who gave such orders. There was one SJB press officer, and I clearly saw this person asking the security personnel not to allow me to take my camera accessories inside. I then decided to return to the office,” he said.   

TV cameramen were also turned away, with organisers stating that the SJB media team would provide footage of the rally to television channels. This was confirmed by a report by ITN.   

Some of the journalists who were restricted from carrying out their duties had been covering the SJB since its inception.