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Probe on female journalist harassment 

23 Jun 2021

  • Foreign correspondents express solidarity 

By Dinitha Rathnayake    An investigation is to be carried out regarding incidents of harassment faced by female journalists in media institutions, according to Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.  The issue was raised at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held yesterday (22) where a journalist queried regarding the allegation made by a female journalist that she was harassed by a male employee at a certain media institution.  Responding to the question, Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that he is unaware of this incident but added that the Mass Media Ministry would not hesitate to take action according to the law if such an incident took place.  “An official complaint has not been filed in this regard as of yet. If it is, we will be able to look into this matter,” he added.  However, it is learnt that the Ministry will look into the said allegation and will also reach out to female journalists who have raised similar allegations under a #MeToo campaign on Twitter where several female journalists have come forth recently, stating that they have been harassed by male employees in media institutions.  Meanwhile, the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Sri Lanka also expressed solidarity with Sri Lankan journalists who have faced sexual harassment at their workplaces.  “We urge media institutions to swiftly investigate these allegations, and to take necessary steps to prevent recurrence. As a collective, it is our responsibility to ensure that our work spaces make all our colleagues feel safe and equal,” they stated.


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