The Free Media Movement (FMM) today condemned the assault on a journalist yesterday as he attempted to take a photograph at the Fort Magistrate court premises, by the security personals of Chief of Defense Staff Ravindra Wijegunaratne who was appearing in the courts to make a statement regarding the abduction of the 11 youth. "We at Free Media Movement strongly condemn this action and behavior against the Journalists," FMM said. FMM said that during his term of Office in 2016, December the current Chief of the Defense who is also a commanding officer in the Sri Lankan Navy; was further convicted as he led an attack and threatened a journalist who was covering a Citizens protest at the Hambantota Port. The case was thus settled over a judiciary decision on requesting the convicted to apologize of his act. "In a democratic society it is vital to hold professional journalistic reporting which is a right without constraints to a journalist. The authorities should refrain from violating such democratic rights and enabling an environment for such criminal acts," FMM added. Free Media Movement urges all relevant authorities to conduct a special investigation and expedite a fair trial to protect the dignity and enhance the safety of professional journalists.