Be mindful of accuracy of information before sharing it on social media- PM Harini

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the importance of checking the truth of information before sharing it on social media, warning that a decline in public trust in media can harm society. She spoke at the “Sandeshaya” Media Awards Ceremony at the Kularathne Hall of Ananda College in Colombo. This event aimed to give Sri Lankan school students a chance to participate in national media discussions while encouraging ethics, responsibility, and critical thinking. The Prime Minister noted that we are living in a time of rapid changes in information technology and media. These changes bring many opportunities but also pose challenges. It is crucial to prepare young people to navigate a world shaped by these advancements. She pointed out that the media landscape is becoming more open. In the past, only certain privileged groups had access to information and the power to share it. However, technology has changed this significantly, making information available to everyone. This change is mostly positive, as it allows citizens to not only consume media but also create it. People now have more opportunities to interact with media and share their insights. Yet, this shift comes with risks. There are important questions regarding the responsibility and reliability of shared information. Today, information spreads quickly, making it hard to know what is accurate. This has made decision-making increasingly difficult. Globally, there have been many cases where misinformation has led to serious problems, including social unrest. Lives have been affected negatively because of false information. People often share a mix of necessary and unnecessary content on social media without realizing the consequences. This behavior can lead to a significant amount of personal information accumulating online. Once false information spreads widely, it becomes very hard to remove.