Govt needs facts, not praise: Deputy Media Minister

Colombo, March 20 (Daily Mirror) - Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne has called on both mainstream and social media to report the country’s current situation responsibly, said that the government does not require praise but expects accurate and factual reporting.

Making a special statement in Parliament amid the global crisis triggered by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Deputy Minister urged media institutions to immediately refrain from disseminating false or misleading information that could create unnecessary panic among the public.

She said that the role of the media is not to endorse or glorify government actions, but to present the ground realities objectively. “This is not a time for praise or criticism without basis. The responsibility of the media is to report the real situation using accurate data,” she noted.

Dr. Ariyaratne further highlighted the growing concern over misinformation circulating on social media platforms, warning that such content could provoke public unrest and confusion during a sensitive period.

Accordingly, she appealed to journalists, media organizations, and social media users alike to act with restraint and responsibility, and to avoid creating or sharing unverified news that could mislead the public.