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Monday, March 12, 2012

Sri Lanka censors SMS

'Any news related to national security and security forces, the police should get prior approval'
The government of Sri Lanka has imposed a censorship on short text messages (SMS) related to security forces.
The defence ministry has instructed media outlets that send SMS news alerts that all news related to national security, security forces and the police need to get prior approval from the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS).

“Please be kind enough to follow the above instructions with immediate effect,” the instruction sent by MCNS on 09 March stated.

Journalists were not allowed by the Sri Lanka government to cover the conflict from the war zone at the last stages but did not officially maintain a censorship.

However, dozens of journalists who were critical of the government’s war strategy has either been killed, attacked or intimidated.

Many others have fled Sri Lanka due to threats to their lives.

The government also blocked many anti-government websites during the war and 2010 presidential election
 BBC Sinhala