Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has urged the public to be mindful of the accuracy of information before sharing content on social media, warning that the spread of false information can weaken public trust in the media and institutions.
Addressing the “Sandeshaya” Media Awards Ceremony held at Ananda College in Colombo on March 14, the Prime Minister said the erosion of trust in information disseminated through the media is extremely dangerous for society.
She noted that rapid developments in information technology and media have created new opportunities while also presenting serious challenges related to responsibility and credibility.
The Prime Minister said the democratization of information has enabled citizens not only to consume media but also to create and share information. However, she cautioned that misinformation and deliberately distorted information can have serious consequences for societies.
Dr. Amarasuriya pointed out that misinformation has, in many instances globally, caused significant harm and undermined public confidence in leadership, institutions, and news sources.
She stressed the importance of promoting a culture that strengthens trust in reliable sources of information and highlighted the need for those entering the media field to uphold credibility and responsibility.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of digital and media literacy, noting that such concepts should be incorporated into education reforms to help students identify reliable information and distinguish between truth and falsehood. (Newswire)
