the goan I network
PANAJI
Clearing the air over the recent amendment in media accreditation guidelines and the debate surrounding fake news Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore categorically said the government was not trying to curb freedom of press but felt that the credibility of journalists as well as journalism was under a lot of scrutiny.
Speaking at the ongoing Goa Fest 2018, Rathore said, “Let me be very clear, in today’s time, no news can be stopped. We are not trying to curb freedom of press but it is true that the credibility of journalists as well as journalism is under a lot of scrutiny today. It’s a challenge for us as well.”
Regarding the government trying to control the media, Rathore said, “The minister in question may have amended the guidelines, but PM Modi immediately overruled the order… in less than 24 hours, no less and said that the best control is self-censorship.”
Recently, Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists (both television and print) threatening cancellation if the news reported by him or her is found to be ‘fake’. In response, most journalistic bodies in the nation criticized the move and called it an attempt to control the freedom of the press.
When asked to comment on Brand Modi and his invincibility as regards the upcoming 2019 polls, Rathore said, “Brands are reliable and dependable. They have consistency and can add value. Modi is incomparable. He is bold and courageous. He comes from a humble background. And yet, the voters are popularity of the PM’s ability to lead. Not very often do we get someone like him in India.”
As far as 2019 polls were concerned, Rathore explained that BJP’s objectives were very clear. “How can we reach to the very last man in the queue and make their life better? The Mudra loan scheme, the gas distribution scheme.. all this matters. India is changing. We have sanctioned the largest number of loans so far “ Rs 4.5 lakh cr to entrepreneurs, that too without collateral. Before 2014, entrepreneurs were given a total of Rs 35,000 cr. We believe in giving loans to the Lowest strata,” he stated.
