Provide correct details to masses - Rupavahini chairman

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Mass communication and mass media have a great responsibility towards the public. Media must provide correct details and information to the masses. Media plays an important role in society said Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) chairman Mohan Samaranayake.

SLRC chairman Mohan Samaranayake addressing journalists at the symposium. Picture by Saliya Rupasinghe

"Media have to play a positive and constructive role in society. They should balance the information when presenting it to society. Media sometime fail to present the most important information to society while sometimes, they fail to present them in a clear and correct manner," he added.

The SLRC chairman was addressing the National Symposium on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation at Galle Face Hotel on November 24 and 25.

This was organized by the Disaster Management Ministry in collaboration with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) for the third time under the sponsorship of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

One session was dedicated to media personnel, informing them on current knowledge and developments on climate change and to obtain inputs from media personal on the dissemination of the knowledge among different audiences.

"Every development programme harms the environment in various ways. But as a developing country Sri Lanka cannot stop these programmes. The society should assist to reduce damage caused to the environment through development programmes,said Prof.Buddhi Marambe.

A web portal dedicated to climate change, adaptation of information related to Sri Lanka was launched by DMC director general Major General Gamini Hettiarachchi.