March 15, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has raised serious concerns over the growing erosion of public trust in media, highlighting the dangers posed to society when misinformation spreads unchecked.
Speaking at the “Sandeshaya” Media Awards Ceremony held at Ananda College’s Kularathne Hall in Colombo, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of verifying information before sharing it on social media, particularly in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape.
The event, aimed at encouraging Sri Lankan students to actively engage in the national media conversation, also sought to foster ethics, responsibility, and critical thinking.
Addressing the audience, the Prime Minister reflected on the challenges brought about by the swift advancements in information technology and media. She noted:
“We live in an era where information technology and the media are changing rapidly. Along with these changes, many opportunities have emerged, but we are also confronted with numerous challenges.
We must prepare our younger generation to live in a society and a world transformed by information technology and the media.
When we observe the changes taking place in the media today, we can say that the media and information have become democratized. In the past, access to knowledge and information was largely limited to privileged or powerful groups. The authority to communicate information and decide what should be disseminated was held by a small group. However, with the advancement of technology, this has changed dramatically. As a result of this revolutionary transformation, information, data, and knowledge have now become accessible to everyone. In that sense, it is a positive development.
At the same time, we are no longer merely media viewers or consumers. As citizens, we can also become media creators. Citizens now have significant space to engage with the media and share information. While this is positive in one sense, it also carries certain dangers. There are serious questions, issues, and challenges regarding responsibility and credibility in the dissemination of information. Today, information flows so rapidly that it is sometimes difficult to determine what is true. Making decisions has become increasingly challenging.
Not only in our country but globally, there have been many instances where societies have been set ablaze due to misinformation or deliberately distorted information. We have witnessed numerous occasions where people’s lives have been destroyed as a result.”
She further elaborated on the risks posed by the internet and social media, acknowledging that people often share both necessary and unnecessary information online without realising the long-term implications. The Prime Minister warned that once false information spreads, it becomes incredibly difficult to retract.
“The spread of false information weakens public trust in the information provided by the media, and this is extremely dangerous for a society. For the sustainability of a society, it is essential to maintain trust among citizens and trust in the institutions that influence people’s lives. Only through trust can we safeguard the sustainability, continuity, and security of a society.”
Prime Minister Amarasuriya expressed concern that, as misinformation has spread, it has led to a growing lack of faith in leadership and institutions. “Today, we no longer have confidence in our leaders. We do not even trust elders. There is doubt about whether the news we receive can be trusted. When credibility weakens within a society, it can push that society into crisis,” she said.
The Prime Minister called for the cultivation of a culture that strengthens trust in leadership and elders, while promoting an awareness of reliable sources of information. She reminded the media professionals in the room that they bear a significant responsibility in maintaining the integrity of the information they present.
“Just like the senior professionals we honoured today, you too may one day enter this field. However, there is a vast difference between the era in which they entered the profession and the era you will enter. You will carry a unique responsibility to strengthen the credibility of the media and to stand firmly behind the information you present.”
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also emphasised the importance of critical thinking and media literacy, urging that these concepts be incorporated into educational reforms. She said, “It is essential that our student generation is equipped with the skills to distinguish between truth and falsehood. Digital literacy and media literacy must become core elements of our educational framework.”
In conclusion, she reiterated that all citizens, especially in today’s digital age, have a responsibility to carefully evaluate the truthfulness of the information they share and consume. “Before you share anything on the internet or social media, think about its accuracy and the potential consequences,” she urged.