Murdered Journalist's "J'Accuse"

Last week the Editor of Sri Lanka's Sunday Leader newspaper, Lasantha Wickrematunge, was targetted and murdered because of his outspoken and independent journalism.

He was one of five journalists killed in the first eight days of 2009, the worst start to a new year since the International News Safety Institute began keeping records in 2003. More than 100 news media staff died in 2008.

But remarkably, a few days before he was killed, he wrote a piece predicting his death and explaining why he took the risks he took - and why journalism matters.

"People often ask me why I take such risks and tell me it is a matter of time before I am bumped off. Of course I know that: it is inevitable. But if we do not speak out now, there will be no one left to speak for those who cannot, whether they be ethnic minorities, the disadvantaged or the persecuted."

And today, there is news of yet another journalist murdered, this time in Nepal.

Comments

[John Connell]

I read this on a flight from Edinburgh to Heathrow this afternoon, Richard - an incredible piece of writing from a very brave man.

[Mark Kraft]

Killed in Gaza by the IDF, in Somalia by a pro-government soldier, in Sri Lanka by one side or another, and in Pakistan by anti-government terrorists.

The first casualty of war.