By Tyron Devotta
Many people assume the media — especially the mainstream media — is all-knowing. In reality, this is rarely true. One key reason is that sources often hold back critical information. Why? Sometimes it’s because they have an agenda, or at the very least, an ulterior motive.
Yes, all this might sound conspiratorial — and sometimes it is — but more often, sources believe the media isn’t ready, willing, or mature enough to handle the full truth responsibly.
A wise old editor once told me that journalism is “literature in a hurry.” That means deadlines usually take precedence over depth. Journalists rely on trusted formulas and familiar angles to publish on time — but that efficiency can come at the cost of nuance and completeness.
The point of this article, however, isn’t to critique the press. It’s to remind the corporate sector how vital it is to be open with information. True, when mishandled, information in the hands of an adversary can be dangerously twisted. But withholding it completely creates a vacuum where rumour, guesswork, and misinformation thrive — which often hurts everyone involved.
The Need for Better Data and Engagement
In today’s complex political and economic climate, policymakers and lawmakers rely on timely, credible information to make sense of the commercial world. Shaping the economy is the government’s business, but growing it depends on the private sector. For that to happen, data must be available — and it must be timely and reliable.
Take annual reports, for example. In my experience, many state institutions fail to release them on time. This delay is not just a bureaucratic annoyance — it’s a significant obstacle to accountability and economic progress.
Regular, meaningful engagement with the media can help too. This shouldn’t just mean the occasional press conference to announce a result. Well-structured roundtable discussions help journalists understand the complexities of an industry, giving them better context when they report on it. And if you’re worried about being misquoted, be clear about what is on the record and what is background information — it’s a perfectly acceptable journalistic convention.
When reporters have context, they’re less likely to misinterpret or sensationalise your story. They may not become your “ally,” but they will better understand the realities of your industry when they do come across something controversial.
From Objectivity to Pragmatism
Over the past decade, mainstream media has shifted from a purely objective posture to a more pragmatic — and, some might say, subjective — approach. Social media’s rise and the explosion of user-generated content have driven this trend. Audiences now expect to see their own perspective reflected in coverage, and bias has become an unavoidable part of the modern news cycle.
When I began my journey in journalism nearly 45 years ago, objectivity was the gold standard — a practice forged in the wake of landmark stories like Watergate. Back then, reporters prided themselves on detachment and fact-checking. Today, everyone can be a content producer. Artificial intelligence has made creating and publishing even easier. But good journalism — real, meaningful reporting — still depends on human judgment. AI can help, but it cannot replace the thoughtful stewardship that ensures information is used to improve society, not fracture it.
What We’ve Lost — And What We Must Regain
We might say we live in a mature Information Age — an era that arguably began two or three decades ago. But somewhere along the way, we’ve lost sight of why information matters in the first place: to illuminate, to understand, and to solve problems that make our lives better.
Instead, we now face an epidemic of misinformation, fake news, and AI-generated noise. It is time for us, as humans, to take back control. We must learn to manage information wisely and use the tools of this age — including AI — as enablers, not substitutes for sound judgment.
A Reminder from Watergate
Take Watergate, for example. In 1972–74, reporters Woodward and Bernstein uncovered a web of political espionage and abuse of power that eventually brought down President Nixon. They did this not by speculating, but by relentlessly verifying confidential sources, checking facts, and refusing to run claims they could not corroborate.
Their work was not completely free from bias — no reporting ever is. But it was built on an unwavering commitment to evidence, accountability, and public interest. That should remain our standard.
In the End
The real power of the Information Age lies not in the volume of data we generate but in how responsibly we manage it — to hold power to account, to build trust, and to make society better. The private sector, the media, and policymakers must work together to make this possible.
AI will keep evolving. Social media will keep disrupting. But the ultimate driver of how information shapes our world will always be us — humans in the driving seat, deciding whether to spin, to conceal, or to tell it straight.
Tyron Devotta is a communications professional with 44 years of experience. He has worked as a correspondent on the frontlines during the war years in Sri Lanka and has been a reporter on the news and investigation desks of several English newspapers. He has also been a Business Editor and Deputy Editor of two national newspapers with work experience with international news teams from CNN, German Television (ARD), and Deutsche Welle (DW) in Sri Lanka. Devotta was also the News Director for a leading private media organization for eight years, managing a trilingual newsroom that delivered news to three television channels and four radio stations. Fluent in English, Sinhala, and Tamil, he is currently a columnist for Daily FT and a Public Affairs consultant.