Lukewarm response to ITN

 

The government today gave a lukewarm response to the campaign being carried out by the state owned ITN against some journalists and human rights activists.

Responding to a question posed by journalists at a media briefing today, External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris said that the government does not condone such reporting by the state media.

However he noted that one must look at the comments made by some of these journalist and human rights activists as well.

The Minister was of the opinion that some people and institutions get worked up when false statements are made overseas against the country.

He said that some journalists and human rights activists are making false statements and allegations against the country and those activities must first stop.

The External Affairs Minister however noted that the government does not agree with the statements made by Minister Mervyn Silva.

Mervyn Silva had said that he will break the limbs of some journalists and human rights activists who had been speaking against the government during the just concluded UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva.