Majority Lankans view social media blockade during times of unrest justifiable

The majority of Sri Lanka’s social media users view blocking of social media platforms during times of national unrest as a justifiable measure to tackle the spread of fake news, according to a survey conducted by Colombo-based digital policy think tank, LIRNEASIA.

Referring to the 10-day social media ban during the Diganakandy racial riots last year, about 58 percent of social media users aged between 15 and 65 acknowledged that blocking social media during times of national unrest was the right thing to do.

Further, 64 percent of the survey respondents stated that social media ban had no impact on their social media usage. However, 22 percent of them said that their social media use wasn’t impacted as they were able to use VPNS during the period.

Among those who stated that the social media ban had an impact on their social media usage, only 5 percent saw their business activities suffering during the period.

According to the survey, although around 78 percent social media users aged between 15 and 65 in Sri Lanka read news on social media, the majority of them don’t trust the news they read on social media.

Interestingly, nearly half of Sri Lankan social media users said they always verify the truthfulness of the news they share on social media.

Digital Infrastructure and Information Technology Non-cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera proposed an anti-fake news legislation to tackle the spread of fake news, which has become a tool to incite racial violence.

“In my view, we need an anti-fake news law; it’s not only about social media, it’s also about electronic media,” he said.