Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Aug 22

When I say this made me cackle...

Former Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe arrested on allegations of misusing state funds - ABC News share.google/6cPj2xHyXZWF...

#slpol #lka #srilanka @abcnews via @apnews.com

Former Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe arrested on allegations of misusing state funds

Sri Lankan police have arrested former president Ranil Wickremesinghe over allegations of misusing public funds

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Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Aug 19

If anyone wants to support a little tiny film please donate: www.gofundme.com/f/vanilla-sl...

Donate to Vanilla Slice (2025) - Short Film, organized by Oscar Nicholson

Hello, My name is Oscar Nicholson and this is Vanilla Slice (2025), a short film… Oscar Nicholson needs your support for Vanilla Slice (2025) - Short Film

www.gofundme.com

Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Aug 14

Narmeen Qawwas was an intern, 28, killed when an air strike hit her home.

An intern, learning the craft. Who should have been protected. A baby journo.

If you won't see her rights as an equal human then think of what we lost in future reporting and news and passion for what is a dangerous job.

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Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Aug 14

Proud to stand with my union against what is happening in Gaza. We remember and honour our colleagues who have been showing us the truth of what's happening on the ground. Stop Killing Journalists. #pressfreedom #gaza @withmeaa.bsky.social

youtu.be/qMq8OUw95-U?...

Stop Killing Journalists

YouTube video by withMEAA

youtu.be

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Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Aug 14

Narmeen Qawwas was an intern, 28, killed when an air strike hit her home.

An intern, learning the craft. Who should have been protected. A baby journo.

If you won't see her rights as an equal human then think of what we lost in future reporting and news and passion for what is a dangerous job.

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Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Aug 14

Proud to stand with my union against what is happening in Gaza. We remember and honour our colleagues who have been showing us the truth of what's happening on the ground. Stop Killing Journalists. #pressfreedom #gaza @withmeaa.bsky.social

youtu.be/qMq8OUw95-U?...

Stop Killing Journalists

YouTube video by withMEAA

youtu.be

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Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Aug 3

93rd Melbourne rally for Gaza, 25k in Melbourne, 300k in Sydney, 665 days since Oct 7.

Recorded to bear witness, to show the call is not silent, isolated, small or invisible.

Always for Gaza, for First Nations, for peace, for fellow journalists, for justice.

www.facebook.com/share/v/1676...

Redirecting...

www.facebook.com

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Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Aug 3

@withmeaa.bsky.social Melbourne/Naarm members. Contingent meeting at state library steps at 11:45 am today to march. Come find us if you want to march with us. Will be in meaa hoodies etc. All sections.

Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

Possum @pollytics.bsky.social · Aug 2

Still laughing that the NSW Supreme Court basically told the NSW government to stop being clowns about preventing protests because it was uncomfortable for their vision of political branding. This guy really is Premier de Minnsimis

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Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

Purplepingers ☭ @purplepingers.bsky.social · Aug 2

The former prime minister arguing against a constitutional separation of powers in favour of the premier being able to overrule the will of the people is an interesting direction for our “democracy”

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Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

Amy Remeikis @amyremeikis.bsky.social · Aug 2

'Right moment'? Australia risks losing power and respect on Gaza

www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2025...

'Right moment'? Australia risks losing power and respect on Gaza

Power isn’t always earned, but respect is. Wait too long and you end up diluting both. It's a lesson for Labor on the horror in Gaza.

www.thenewdaily.com.au

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Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

Royce Kurmelovs @roycerk2.bsky.social · Aug 3

This is also the argument the Samuel Griffith Society have seeded among the legal profession to lock up the courts on climate change and land rights.

GregoryWalters @catmanforever.bsky.social · Aug 2

The last thing we want is politicians deciding whether a political protest is justified. It's up to judges because they are 'apolitical' and make decisions according to the rule of law, not to political whims and prejudices. Tones reveals himself as a #Zionist here. #auspol #aupol #FreedomOfSpeech

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Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Jul 21

A horrifying statement published today by the Editorial Committee of the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency.

"Without immediate intervention, the last reporters in Gaza will die"

Translation from French to English by @cnorristrent.bsky.social:

Without immediate intervention, the last reporters in Gaza will die
July 21, 2025

AFP has been working with 1 writer, 3 photographers and 6 videographers, all freelance, in the Gaza Strip since its staff journalists left in 2024.

Along with a few others, they are now the only ones left to report what is happening in the Gaza Strip. The international press has been banned from entering the territory for nearly two years.

We refuse to watch them die.

One of them, Bashar, has been working with AFP since 2010, first as a fixer, then freelance photographer, and since 2024, as lead photographer. On July 19th he managed to post a message on Facebook: “I no longer have the strength to work for the media. My body is thin and I can’t work anymore.”

Bashar, 30, works & lives in the same conditions as all Gazans, moving from one refugee camp to another under Israeli bombings. For > a year he’s lived in utter destitution, working at extreme risk to his life. Hygiene is a major issue for him, with recurring bouts of severe intestinal illness.

Since Feb, Bashar’s been living in the ruins of his home in Gaza City with his mother, 4 brothers & sisters and the family of one of his brothers. Their house is devoid of any furnishings, except a few cushions. On Sunday morning, he reported that one of his brothers had “fallen, due to hunger.”

Even though these journalists receive a monthly salary from AFP, it’s no longer enough to buy food, or they have to pay completely exorbitant prices. The banking system has collapsed, and those who exchange money via online bank accounts charge a commission of up to 40%.

AFP no longer has the ability to provide them with a vehicle and there is not enough fuel to allow these journalists to travel for their reporting. Driving a car means becoming a target for Israeli airstrikes. AFP reporters therefore travel on foot or by donkey cart. (alt txt continued in next post)

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Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Jun 14

Back to #writing #speculativefiction and #crimefiction:

Twitch.tv/maristillplays

Twitch

Twitch is the world

Twitch.tv

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Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

MEAA @withmeaa.bsky.social · Apr 8

Nine Publishing relies on freelancers to deliver quality journalism, but with a business model that relies on freelance rates going backwards in real terms, freelancers cannot continue to sustainably do their jobs.

SIGN AND SHARE THE PETITION NOW- www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...

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Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Apr 5

We have hit 1400+ signatures on this petition. It's public, anyone can sign. Would it not be nice to take it up to oooh say 3000 by Monday? Sign & share if you think Nine shld pay their journalists. www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...

#auspol #petition @withmeaa.bsky.social #media #election

Help freelancers at Nine Publishing win fair rates

Off the back of strike action last year, Nine management committed to engage in discussions about freelance rates and conditions with MEAA representatives. Despite this commitment, Nine management ha...

www.megaphone.org.au

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Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

Bianca Nogrady @biancanogrady.bsky.social · Apr 2

Nine newspapers have slashed in-house staff, refused to pay decent rates to freelancers, yet executives are earning millions.
Freelancers are asking for a fair minimum rate and regular rate increases. Please support us, sign our petition: www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
@withmeaa.bsky.social

Poster reads: The CEO of the Australian Financial Review, the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WA Today and the Brisbane Times took home $2.1 million last year, while most freelancers made less than $59k. Sign the petition now!

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Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

Jinghua Qian @jinghuaqian.com · Apr 1

Freelance journos shoulder growing personal and political risks while our pay has been declining for decades - sign the petition today demanding that Nine resume negotiations for minimum rates and a collective freelance agreement! @withmeaa.bsky.social
www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...

Freelancers at Nine are being paid 59% less in real terms than 20 years ago.

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Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

Jess Zammit @jesszam.bsky.social · Mar 31

Seeing stuff like this makes me desperately miss cataloguing queer games. So much cool stuff in one place! Amazing work by the Checkpoint team, I can't wait to discover a bunch of new favourites! 💖

Checkpoint Gaming @checkpointau.bsky.social · Mar 30

This #TransDayofVisibility we’ve collated a definitive list of 90+ trans games throughout history.

Almost 100 games by trans developers and/or with trans representation.

Featuring games from:
@deconstructeam.bsky.social
@maddymakesgames.com

and many others 🏳️‍⚧️

checkpointgaming.net/features/202...

A definitive list of 90+ trans games throughout history

This Trans Day of Visibility, we found it necessary to make a definitive list of 90+ trans games throughout history that are loud and proud.

checkpointgaming.net

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Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

Alice Clarke @alicedkc.bsky.social · Apr 1

Freelancers and the @withmeaa.bsky.social are demanding that Nine returns to the negotiating table to give workers a fair go. Sign the petition here: www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/freelance-nine

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Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Apr 1

As a reader/subscriber, the money Nine mgmt makes off you is not going to staff or freelancers. Mgmt agreed to meet freelancers last year - they've not offered anything meaningful yet on rates. Pls sign & share this. Ask where your $ go if not to staff. www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...

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Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Mar 30

Events this week in Melbourne:

Monday 31 March:

5:30 pm Trans day of visibility rally at state library

6 pm @withMEAA meet up at Emerald Peacock

April 3:

Women In Media Freelancer Panel event at Social Status in South Melbourne at 5:30 pm - register here: bit.ly/41lKsv7

Behind the Story: Navigating a Freelance Journalism Career in 2025

Get tickets on Humanitix - Behind the Story: Navigating a Freelance Journalism Career in 2025 hosted by Women in Media Victoria. Social Status, Level 1/210 Albert Rd, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Austral...

bit.ly

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Reposted by Marisa Wikramanayake

Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Nov 18

Hi, I'm Marisa Wikramanayake. I'm a freelance journo, book editor & writer currently based in Naarm (Melbourne, Australia) on Kulin land & a member of my union @withmeaa.bsky.social.

This is a thread of impt info to help people.

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Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Mar 18

I personally don't mind being called far left activist rabble. That being levied at an union over this issue says so much abt the person saying it.

The union isn't just me/those elected. It's your colleagues & comrades who have won you your work rights & EBAs. Whose fees have paid for it.

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Marisa Wikramanayake @marisawik.bsky.social · Mar 18

If the Walkleys becomes more independent of the union, who does it answer to? Who sees where the money goes? How it is spent? If things are genuinely made equitable & accessible to all in our industry? If things are ethical?

I want it to be for all of us not just a few.

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