The Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court has issued a conditional order to a group of employees of the ‘Newscenter’ media organization, prohibiting them from broadcasting false and defamatory statements regarding the Hiru Media Network, Hiru Television, or former MP Duminda Silva.
The magistrate issued this order after considering a request by Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Private) Limited under the provisions of the Online Safety Act.
The petition was prompted by a statement aired on Newscenter by Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage claiming that the Hiru Media Network was built through illegal drug-related activities and former MP Duminda Silva’s involvement.
The petition names several respondents, including Newscenter Director Senior Journalist Manjula Basnayake.
The court order was issued prohibiting the broadcast of the statement in question, as well as, any future dissemination of defamatory or false statements regarding the Hiru Media Network.
The Magistrate’s order stated that it was issued under Section 24(2) of the Online Safety Act, and was effective until January 23. The Respondents were given two weeks to present facts to the court.
It is the first instance a media network has filed a case against another media network under the Online Safety Act. (Newswire)