26.10.2007

The government suspended the broadcasts of five radio stations belonged to ABC Network Ltd. since today. The disbanded radio channels are Hiru FM, Sha FM, Gold FM, Suriyan FM and Sun FM.

A false news broadcast by these radio channels resulted the suspension. Many media institutes received the news of an LTTE attack at Ranminithenna village in Thissmaharamaya but the follow up investigations proved the news wrong. Hiru FM and other ABC Network radio channels broadcast the news. However they later announced that the news was incorrect.

The government made use of this incident immediately and suspended the broadcasts of these radio channels. The Minister of Media and Information said that the suspension was made following an investigation on false reporting.

Five media organizations including Free Media Movement, Professional Journalists' Association and will stage a protest today 12.30 PM in front of the Colombo Fort railway station in protest of the ban on ABC Network radio stations and the arrest of Sunday Leader journalist.