Sri Lanka censors text messages

by admin
Mar 11, 2012

Sri Lanka’s government has extended its censorship to text messages, reports BBC Sandeshaya.

News outlets that send SMS alerts to customers must now get prior approval from the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS), if the messages are related to national security, the military or the police.

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

The government has already placed a ban on several websites critical of Sri Lanka.

Media Ministry has "full authority" to act against websites (17 Nov 2011)

Sri Lanka orders news websites to register (06 Nov 2011)

US ‘deeply concerned’ over Lanka’s media freedom (01 Nov 2011)

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