Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that while all media outlets are free to criticize the government, action must be taken against the deliberate spread of false information.
He made these remarks while rejecting allegations that media freedom is being suppressed.
“There is absolutely no media suppression. Social, electronic, and print media are free to criticize us and point out our weaknesses,” Minister Jayatissa said in response to claims of media restrictions.
However, he expressed concern that certain media institutions and social media groups are intentionally spreading fake news.
Referring to false reports related to the health sector and national security, the minister said such misinformation is especially harmful at a time when the country is recovering from a recent disaster.
He stressed that these actions go beyond criticism and amount to planned efforts to create public distrust and threaten national stability.
Minister Jayatissa also noted that the public expects the government to act decisively against misinformation.
“With the existing laws, the government is obliged to take action. People accuse us of not taking action. We were given a mandate, and the public is demanding that the government act against fake news and false reports,” he said.
