RESPECT MEDIA BUT DON’T GET SWAYED BY IT: RAVI SHANKAR
: Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told BJP supporters upset over media criticism of the Narendra Modi government that he would not use words such as “pappu” and “presstitute” and insisted that they respect the media but not get swayed by it.
Interacting with party faithful at a “Char Saal Bemisal” event organised by the Overseas Friends of BJP (UK) on Sunday, Prasad recalled his involvement in protests during the emergency, when freedom of expression was under threat, and told the supporters that the media “is important” in a democracy.
“In India there is a unique scenario. Couple of English (television) channels are anti-Modi. But most of the Hindi and regional channels...normally have to show the achievements of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji because people want to see them,” he said.
“Yes, media is important. You have to respect the media, freedom of expression is important. Give respect to the media, don’t get swayed by it. India is a democracy, learn to respect the media. They are there to criticise, give due regard to them.”
Responding to a questioner who expressed resentment at the media’s criticism of the Modi government, Prasad said: “We are a democracy. Media is important in a democracy, so is the judiciary, so is the civil society…therefore, we have to be a little mature. You can give a fitting reply to the media only by the language it knows.
“But don’t allow yourself to be swayed by the media. The people decide, and the people will surely bring the BJP and Modiji to power (in 2019).”
Referring to recent cases of lynching sparked by messages on encrypted messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Prasad said: “WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook have the biggest footprint in India because India is emerging as a digital market. But freedom is also to become responsible...”
LONDON