Govt won't stifle media:

Investigation relates to public security - Media Minister

A recent news item under the heading Madhya Mardanayata Serase to mean "Getting ready to repress the media" that appeared in a weekend newspaper has drawn the attention of the Government, stated Media and Information Minister Anura Piyadarshana Yapa in a media release yesterday.

The remark relates to a routine CID investigation relating to a news published involving public security.

This is a routine investigation common to many fields these days. The relevant newspaper seems to highlight this data collection by the CID as a media repression, may be, in an attempt to mislead the public.

It is deplorable that at a decisive time like today, when the responsibility of the media is to cooperate with measures to ensure security, to distort news of public security as media repression.

The Government reiterates with responsibility its perennial commitment to protect and safeguard the rights of the media, emphasised Minister Yapa, in his media release.