Director General of the Government Information Department Nalaka Kaluwewa on Sunday requested the heads of all media institutions not to shoot or telecast scenes that could harm the privacy and social dignity of those suspected of being infected with Covid-19 or their associates from now on.

Issuing a statement Mr. Kaluwewa said that in news reporting on people who are currently infected with the Covid-L9 virus or subject to quarantine, it has been observed that certain electronic media broadcast illustrations that harm the privacy of individuals, such as the manner they are taken into quarantine or hospitalization and their homes or their surroundings.

“In some cases, patients and associates are perceived as anti-social by some of the media. Telecasting of such scenes does not make an effective contribution to the proper awareness of the people. Some people may not even seek treatment or quarantine because of the risk of socializing such scenes that harm their privacy. There has been a great deal of public displeasure and protest against this negative use of the media. This has also disturbed the special social mission of the media to properly educate the public at this critical juncture,” he said.

“I kindly request you not to shoot or telecast scenes that could harm the privacy and social dignity of those suspected of being infected with Covid-19 or their associates from now on.”

“In particular, I greatly appreciate the continuous active contribution of all media institutions in rescuing the society from this menace,” he added.