Freedom to write does not include the freedom to be "factually incorrect'', PM Modi to media

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Dina Thanthi was a clear message to the present-day media. He talked about media's importance, credibility, accountability and what the focus of media should be . He also spoke against factually incorrect news and misuse of power by media.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the celebration of Dina Thanthi. Image : Twitter (@narendramodi)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at Tamil daily Dina Tanthi’s celebration was more of a message to the contemporary media. He brought to the forefront the issue of “factually incorrect news” and also discussed the role of media in governance, at length. Dina Thanthi which is the largest Tamil daily celebrated successful completion of 75 years on Monday. In a grand celebration the Prime Minister addressed a huge gathering at the Madras University. Veteran actor Rajnikanth was also a part of the gathering. Amidst all the ado around government's recent action against a digital news portal, Prime Minister Modi spoke about editorial freedom of media. He said that the freedom to write does not include the freedom to be "factually incorrect'' and that misuse of power by media is a crime.  

Editorial freedom must be used wisely in public interest. The freedom to write, does not include the freedom to be 'factually incorrect'. Mahatma Gandhi said: “The press is called the Fourth Estate. It is definitely a power, but, to misuse that power is criminal.": PM Modi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 6, 2017

He also said that media must make an extra effort to maintain credibility as every citizen analyses & attempts to verify the news that comes to him through multiple sources.   

Today, every citizen analyses & attempts to verify the news that comes to him through multiple sources. Media, therefore, must make an extra effort to maintain credibility. Healthy competition among credible media platforms is also good for the health of our democracy: PM Modi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 6, 2017

Speaking about the accountability of media he said that media has as much social accountability as the judiciary. He said that even though media may be owned by private individuals, it serves a public purpose. As scholars say, it is an instrument to produce reform through peace, rather than by force  

Even though media may be owned by private individuals, it serves a public purpose. As scholars say, it is an instrument to produce reform through peace, rather than by force. Hence, it has as much social accountability as the elected government or the judiciary: PM Modi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 6, 2017

He also talked about what the focus of media should be. According to him media should highlight the achievements and story of Indian populace rather than politics-centric news. 

A lot of the media discourse today revolves around politics. However, India is more than just us politicians. It is the 125 crore Indians, which make India what it is. I would be happy to see media focus a lot more, on their stories, and their achievements: PM Modi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 6, 2017

On a light note, Prime Minister Modi said that he has often heard people wonder, as to how the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper.  

I have often heard people wonder, as to how the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper: PM @narendramodi on a lighter note. — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 6, 2017

Since the occasion was of platinum jubilee celebration of a media house , it was anything but evident that the discussion would be centered around media. The Prime Minister said that media is a mean of transforming society. "In a broader context, media is a mean of transforming society. That is why we refer to the media as the fourth pillar of democracy”,  he said. Emphasising the importance of vernacular media he said that the regional media is as important now as it was in old times.

The then British Government was fearful of the Indian Vernacular Press. It was to muzzle vernacular newspapers, that the Vernacular Press Act was enacted in 1878. The role of newspapers published in regional languages remains as important today, as it was then: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 6, 2017

 

Today, newspapers do not just give news. They can also mould our thinking & open a window to the world. In a broader context, media is a means of transforming society. That is why we refer to the media as the fourth pillar of democracy: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 6, 2017

With recurring natural calamities all around the world, he also exhorted the media to try and provide coverage to the agenda and to create awareness about how to combat those.  

Natural calamities seem to be occurring with increasing frequency across the world. Can media take a lead in the battle against climate change? Can media devote just a little space to report or increase awareness about what we can do to combat climate change?: PM Modi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 6, 2017