International Editor of The New York Times Michael Slackman has asked Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa if he has an issue with Times reporting to contact senior editors at The New York Times rather than intimidating Sri Lankan journalists.
Issuing a media statement today (3rd) titled Intimidation Campaign Against Sri Lankan Journalists Mr. Slackman said a group of Sri Lankan parliamentarians allied with the former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, held a news conference to publicly criticize two journalists who contributed logistical assistance to a rigorously reported and accurate New York Times investigation into the Hambantota port, published on June 26.
The NYT statement said it is unacceptable for journalists to be intimidated in this way and the action appears intended to silence critics and curb press freedoms, and ultimately deprive Sri Lankans of information in the public interest.
“The Times expects the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure the safety of journalists working for our – or any – news organization,” it said.
Following is the NY Times Editor’s letter:
