Someone commented that the current India PM Mr. Narendra Modi does not appear to face mainstream media much and does not directly face questions thrown by TV journalists. The feeling was that the current government focuses too much on social media platforms and seem to be not relying on the mainstream media.
First, when you say that PM is "not facing the press"; you have to be more specific. Our PM does give interviews to the press as well as to TV channels. Then what specifically do you mean by "not facing"? I believe you are expecting him to hold press conferences where mainstream journalists could ask him a variety of questions about government policies and he would try to "conquer" them. In a nutshell, you expect some "drama" from him.
But alas, government works in a certain way for the benefit of all. Govt has specific spokespersons for that role. And hence PM does not have to hold a press conference after every policy move. Also, individual Ministers do hold press conferences explaining decisions of their ministries. In India we do not have USA type presidential rule; hence Mr. Modi does not hold press conferences like Mr. Trump does.
Previous PM Manmohan Singh had also held only 3 press conferences during his tenure of about "10 years". But one can say that his tenure was marred by scandals and scams, and that would have made it necessary. Currently govt is running very smooth and hence there is not much need for press conference by PM.
First, when you say that PM is "not facing the press"; you have to be more specific. Our PM does give interviews to the press as well as to TV channels. Then what specifically do you mean by "not facing"? I believe you are expecting him to hold press conferences where mainstream journalists could ask him a variety of questions about government policies and he would try to "conquer" them. In a nutshell, you expect some "drama" from him.
But alas, government works in a certain way for the benefit of all. Govt has specific spokespersons for that role. And hence PM does not have to hold a press conference after every policy move. Also, individual Ministers do hold press conferences explaining decisions of their ministries. In India we do not have USA type presidential rule; hence Mr. Modi does not hold press conferences like Mr. Trump does.
Previous PM Manmohan Singh had also held only 3 press conferences during his tenure of about "10 years". But one can say that his tenure was marred by scandals and scams, and that would have made it necessary. Currently govt is running very smooth and hence there is not much need for press conference by PM.
I think the perception that Modi Government is not depending on mainstream media to some extent is true. Out of all India PMs, current PM Mr. Modi seems the best when it comes to be being directly in touch with people. And there is a history and reason behind it. After post-Godhra riots in Gujarat, he was ostracized and demonized both by opponents outside and within his party. There was a strong media campaign demonizing him both inside India and among NRIs (since Gujaratis have strong NRI presence). E.g. we constantly got news from media about Modi being denied Visa by US even though he never applied for the same! And we had seen what mainstream media had done to him with the famous "puppy remark" by Mr. Modi in an "interview". Hence, in order to survive; and in order to "turn stones thrown to him into a stepping stone"; Modi took "social media" by storm and got into direct contact with people. Media initially was baffled - why does not he talk to the media? Why does not he gave media interviews? Crooked media could not believe there initially that there could be such a Strong Willed Lion among Men who would "bypass" them totally!
After becoming PM, of course he had to give interviews to media and interact with media. Keeping aside media's hateful and funded campaign against him, he started loosening up. But it is important to know the history.
After becoming PM, of course he had to give interviews to media and interact with media. Keeping aside media's hateful and funded campaign against him, he started loosening up. But it is important to know the history.
I think it is a mistake to think that PM Modi is out of touch with people and does not know our feedback. He is on Twitter and posts his events, thoughts and works several times every day and would also get people's reactions. He has this NaMo App for mobile phones through which he gets feedback. He does Mann Ki Baat on Radio and TV regularly on weekends. He goes to visit all across the country in election rallies as well as to inaugurate government projects. He regularly visits Temples and places of religious and cultural importance wherever he goes. When he sees children, he goes and plays with them. We never had such "human" PM in the recent times... This is why his supporters adore him like this...
Plus, most of Big Indian Media Houses have been Left Leaning or Anti-Right Wing philosophy. E.g. The Hindu is a certified communist leaning paper. Hindustan Times Group from the Birla ownership who funded Congress. India Today and Rajdeep Sardesai are anti-BJP. NDTV is certified pro-Congress and anti-BJP channel. CNN-IBN and Sagarika Ghose are clearly Left leaning.
I accept that a few media / TV news houses are pro-BJP too; but all these are only recent upstarts. All old and biggest media houses are anti-BJP, pro-Congress/Left. Hence, if Modi Govt takes mainstream media too seriously, they will only bite it in the ear while standing on its shoulders. Hence Modi Govt still focuses on direct access to people through social media channels.
- Rahul Tiwary
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