FMETU condemns minister’s criminal complaint over false news report

The Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions (FMETU) has strongly condemned Public Security and Parliament Affairs Minister Ananda Wijayapala for filing a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in response to a false news report published in a newspaper. The Federation criticized the Minister for treating the act of reporting news as a criminal offense, despite the existence of established mechanisms such as the Press Complaints Commission and the right to respond.

Minister Wijayapala addressed Parliament on Thursday, explaining that a speech he delivered in the Anuradhapura area had been falsely reported and misrepresented. He stated, “My speech was completely distorted and published inaccurately. I have filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department, and an investigation has now been initiated.”

The FMETU emphasized that criminalizing the publication of incorrect news is widely recognized as a threat to media freedom globally. The Federation expressed concern that summoning journalists to institutions like the CID—an agency responsible for investigating serious crimes—was a severe infringement on press freedom.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary Dharmasiri Lankapeli and National Organizer Thrindu Uduwaragedera, the FMETU asserted that addressing incorrect news reports is the responsibility of the government, but it must be done through internationally accepted methods rather than resorting to media suppression. The Federation argued that any attempts to frame arrests as limiting freedom of expression should be viewed with caution, as responding to racist statements and tackling emerging racist tendencies are also government duties.

The Federation further warned that the most challenging moments for freedom arise when it becomes necessary to curtail it, adding that initiating criminal investigations against journalists without taking proper steps to address the wrongdoing is a serious matter.

The Federation has called on Minister Wijayapala to withdraw his statements and complaints and urged the government to engage with the Press Complaints Commission and other relevant institutions to address the situation. “Falsehoods can only be defeated through truth, not through force,” the Federation concluded, stressing that the misuse of power in such cases only strengthens false narratives.