Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Last Updated : 2024-03-29 15:14:00
By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana
The Ministry of Health along with the Department of Government Information yesterday requested all media houses and journalists actively engaged in reporting the current Covid-19 pandemic to stick to authorised state information sources only and nothing else.
Director General Government Information Nalaka Kaluwewa forwarding a statement issued by the Director General Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe last evening said, the latter had announced a set of guidelines to be followed by all media personnel and houses in reporting the developing situation of the local pandemic.
The DG Health Services had requested the media to use only the confirmed and verified information disseminated through the authorised government sources, as the credibility of certain news reports being published by journalists based on the quotes and statements obtained from various individuals in the health sector authorities, could lead to a state of confusion. Therefore, the media could obtain data and situation reports issued by the Department of Government Information, Ministry of Health and SL Army Media about the current developments.
They also requested the media not to mention the ethnicity or religion of the people being subjected to quarantine, patients or deaths of the Covid-19.
It was also requested to mention the infected persons as patients of the pandemic and not as someone who carry the disease to others. The authorities informed the media not to broadcast any video footage or photograph of those being subjected to quarantine, against their will. Airing of sensitive video footages of the deceased victims and the cremation process should be done with semi-blurred visuals.
The guidelines specifically request from the media not to report in a manner that would instill hatred among communities about the infected and the patients. It further stated that by doing so the potential infected persons would not present themselves to the health services out of fear of public outrage and social stigma. Dr. Jasinghe further requested the media to cooperate in reporting to uplift the positive mindset of the public during this difficult period, whilst thanking them for their commitment thus far.
Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e
Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c
In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R
As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H
28 Mar 2024