Journalists have tremendous responsibility - Minister

Suraj A Bandara

There are no Government journalists or Private journalists, all are journalists with a tremendous responsibility to carry the right message to the people of the country. Environment Minister Anura Priyadarsana Yapa said.

He was briefing the media on Cabinet decisions at the Information Department yesterday.

Journalists in Sri Lanka have the freedom to write whatever they want. But what appears in their publications should be responsible and realistic. "Media freedom will encourage you to write many things but I request all journalists to be responsible for everything they do in the name of free media", he added.

Responding to a query, he said the people can level any allegation against anyone but before doing that the repercussions should be assessed. Journalists cannot be considered as state media or private media. He said Sri Lankan cricketers are not betrayers. Not even a single allegations have been made against our players from the outset.

Certain media had distorted the media report telecast on a TV channel, he said.

When he was asked about certain allegations directed by Opposition political parties, he said as everybody was aware that local government elections are going in favour of the Government and some politicians deceive the public by uttering falsehoods.