The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa

¶ 01 As Media Minister, I must ensure the public receives accurate information. Broadcast licenses are issued as temporary licenses with conditions, including providing truthful information, particularly concerning national security and health. We saw instances of distorted information recently in health. For example, a TV channel’s report on human immunoglobulin was grossly misleading, linking current procurement to an earlier case against a former Minister to generate public distrust. Media have no right to mislead on health. License conditions explicitly state not to disseminate information detrimental to public health. As Minister of Health and Mass Media, I have the right to speak against false health information that undermines confidence in the public health system. Note, the same media outlet later corrected the error. Criticism of Government is not the issue; disinformation harming public health is.