Dubious Survey Claims by "Mass Media News" on Sri Lankan Presidential Election

Subscribe to our WhatsApp Channel

The presidential election in Sri Lanka, anticipated to take place this year, has sparked extensive social media discussion. However, amidst these discussions, there is a concerning trend of survey results being disseminated across social media channels, which lack credibility. These fabricated survey outcomes are contributing to misinformation and confusion among the populace regarding the potential consequences of the election.

Social Media Posts

A recent viral post on social media, attributed to a Facebook page named "Mass Media News," purportedly presents survey results on the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka. According to the survey findings, the post suggests that the opposition leader, Sajith Premadasa, leads the race with 48% of preference, NPP leader Anura Kumara has 34%, SLPP candidate gets 9%, while the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe has a mere 4% voter preference, as seen below.

Facebook | Archived

However, several factors raise doubts about the credibility of this claim, warranting a thorough fact-check.

Fact Check

Source Credibility: The Facebook page "Mass Media News," which disseminated this information, lacks a corresponding website or any established credibility in surveying practices. The absence of a reputable online presence or past track record casts doubt on the reliability of the information shared.

Methodology and Transparency: The post fails to provide any details regarding the methodology employed in conducting the purported survey. Essential information such as sample size, sampling method, demographic representation, and fieldwork dates are conspicuously absent. Without these crucial details, it is impossible to assess the validity and reliability of the survey results.

Visual Structure Resemblance to IHP Surveys: The post's visual structure resembles that of IHP (Institute for Health Policy) surveys, which have faced criticism in the past months for their methodology. The "Mass Media News" post appears to be edited using a Presidential Election Voting Intent graph created by IHP.

However, unlike IHP, the method, sample size, or other relevant details are not mentioned in the post attributed to "Mass Media News" This lack of transparency further undermines the credibility of the purported survey results.

Here is one of our fact checks: when the survey findings of IHP were falsely attributed to the Center for Policy Alternatives.

Absence of Mainstream Media Confirmation: Despite the widespread circulation of this claim on social media, no reputable mainstream media outlets or established survey organisations have reported similar findings. The absence of corroborating reports from credible sources raises suspicions about the accuracy of the information presented by "Mass Media News."

Non-Existence of Reputable Survey or News Organization: Upon investigation, it was discovered that there is no recognised survey or news organisation named "Mass Media News." The lack of any verifiable entity with a history of conducting surveys or reporting news adds another layer of skepticism to the purported survey results.

Follow us and stay up to date with our latest fact checks.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Google News | TikTok

Conclusion

In conclusion, the claim circulating on social media regarding survey results for the Sri Lankan presidential election lacks credibility and should be treated with skepticism. The absence of transparency regarding methodology, the questionable source, and the failure to corroborate the findings with reputable media outlets or survey organisations raise significant doubts about the accuracy of the information presented. It is advisable for individuals to refrain from sharing or endorsing such claims until reliable and transparent sources verify them.