Journalists Sivaram, Rajivarman remembered in Nelliyadi

[TamilNet, Sunday, 27 April 2008, 14:17 GMT]
“We raise our voices aloud demanding freedom of media despite the prevailing dangerous atmosphere. We join our hands with our media friends worldwide, and raise our hands along with them in the demand for the freedom of media,” the North Ceylon Journalists Association (NCJA) said in a message during a lunch offering Sunday to the elders and children in Nelliyadi Paramaananthaa Ashram, Home for the Aged and Children, held in remembrance of late TamilNet Senior Editor "Taraki" Sivaram and Selvarajah Rajivarman, sources in Jaffna said.

Journalists and media persons in Jaffna peninsula participated in the event where presents were given to the elders and children of Nelliyadi Paramaananthaa Ashram.

NCJA is also planning to donate a collection of book to the Ashram, according to the officers.

The following are excerpts from NCJA's message:

“We once again remember two of our media friends who stood unto their last in their noble service to the media. Though we live in a country where media freedom is totally denied, we are not prepared to forget our friends and the noble service they rendered.

"An atmosphere of dread restricts the free functioning of media activities. Many journalists have either opted to quit the profession or seek safety abroad and this situation continues.

"We raise our voices aloud demanding freedom of media despite the prevailing dangerous atmosphere. We join our hands today with our media friends worldwide and raise our hands along with them in the demand for the freedom of media. We once again pledge today that we will continue with our media activities carrying the thoughts of Taraki Sivaram and Rajivarman with us. We share their memories today with the friendly hearts of Nelliadi Paramaananthaa Ashram.”

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