External control on Press not good for society, says PM Narendra Modi

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Nov 16, 2016:  PM is speaking at the commemorate event of National Press Day in New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan.

 

Here are the highlights of his speech:

Press was silenced during the Emergency.

Earlier journalists though a lot before filing a report

But perhaps challenges today are different

External control of press not good for society

Press instrumental in upholding free speech.

Freedom of expression must be maintained.

I have been friends with journalists for a long time

They just need 10 per cent of information, they can then find the 90 per cent out

Then the government also becomes used to selective leaking.

This needs to be changed.

Government should not have any interference in the working of the media

These days, reports of killings (of journalists) that came - they are especially worrying. Because they died trying to find out the truth

Just saying we are independent isn’t enough, the government needs to deal with such cases sternly

Indian media did a commendable job during the Nepal quake; it managed to unite all of India into helping its ally and neighbour

Media has played a very good role in furthering the message of cleanliness.