It's Not Me

Somewhere Near Australia!

Certains sont déjà au courant, mais pour ceux qui ne le sont pas, je fais mon stage de fin de dut à Canberra!

Oui oui, Canberra en Australie! Et je suis actuellement dans ma chambre d’hotel minuscule de l’aéroport de Heathrow à Londres en attendant de prendre demain mon vol vers Sydney!

On n’en parle plus, cependant, au Sri Lanka, les journalistes se font encore assassiner.

Son nom était Lasantha Wickrematunga, il était le rédacteur en chef du Sunday Leader.
Le Sunday Leader est un hebdomadaire Sri Lankais qui s’est rendu célèbre pour son indépendance vis-à-vis du gouvernement, et pour ses enquêtes poussées qui ont permis de révéler de nombreux scandales.

Et du fait de la publication de ce journal le dimanche, on peut retrouver dans le même numéro le dernier éditorial de cet homme, ainsi que l’annonce de sa mort et les réactions de protestations.

C’est encore une nouvelle atteinte aux droits de la presse, et cela montre qu’il y a toujours, dans certains pays (pas forcément à l’autre bout du monde), des pressions exercées sur les médias et sur les journalistes.

Voici quelques morceaux choisis du dernier édito de ce grand homme.

Why then do we do it? I often wonder that. After all, I too am a husband, and the father of three wonderful children. I too have responsibilities and obligations that transcend my profession, be it the law or journalism. Is it worth the risk? Many people tell me it is not. Friends tell me to revert to the bar, and goodness knows it offers a better and safer livelihood. Others, including political leaders on both sides, have at various times sought to induce me to take to politics, going so far as to offer me ministries of my choice. Diplomats, recognising the risk journalists face in Sri Lanka, have offered me safe passage and the right of residence in their countries. Whatever else I may have been stuck for, I have not been stuck for choice.

But there is a calling that is yet above high office, fame, lucre and security. It is the call of conscience.

[…]

It is well known that I was on two occasions brutally assaulted, while on another my house was sprayed with machine-gun fire. Despite the government’s sanctimonious assurances, there was never a serious police inquiry into the perpetrators of these attacks, and the attackers were never apprehended. In all these cases, I have reason to believe the attacks were inspired by the government. When finally I am killed, it will be the government that kills me.

[…]

First they came for the Jews

              and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists

              and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists

              and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me

              and there was no one left to speak out for me.

If you remember nothing else, remember this: The Leader is there for you, be you Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, low-caste, homosexual, dissident or disabled. Its staff will fight on, unbowed and unafraid, with the courage to which you have become accustomed. Do not take that commitment for granted. Let there be no doubt that whatever sacrifices we journalists make, they are not made for our own glory or enrichment: they are made for you. Whether you deserve their sacrifice is another matter. As for me, God knows I tried.

[Via LienLienLien via BoingBoing]