IFJ supports source confidentiality demand in Lanka

Colombo, Sep 24 (UNI) The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urged Sri Lankan authorities not to force journalists to disclose their sources during future confrontations.

In a statement, IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline said journalists should not be obliged to reveal their sources unless a serious criminal investigation is under way.

The statement came in the wake of Sri Lankan Criminal Investigations Department (CID) questioning reporter Indika Sakalasooriya of the Nation for over two hours at his offices about an article published on the new Aston Martin luxury.

The reporter was repeatedly asked to reveal his sources for the story, but he refused to do so, citing his rights as a journalist.

IFJ Asia-Pacific Director supported his stance in the statement, saying ''We whole-heartedly support the actions of both the individual in question, and the actions of the Free Media Movement (FMM) in defending his professional rights.'' The statement further said that IFJ supports the demands of the FMM, the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions, Sri Lanka Tamil Media Association and Sri Lanka Muslim Media Association from the government to protect journalists' right to source confidentiality.

UNI