Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Patrika Gate in Jaipur via videoconferencing on September 8, 2020. Addressing the nation on the occasion, he stressed the need for Indian media to have a more global outlook. Here is the essence of his recent address.
“World listens to India more carefully now. In such a situation Indian media also needs to be global,” PM Modi said during the inauguration of the Patrika Gate, reiterating the higher global standing India has garnered in the last few years.
Modi said Indians are successfully settled in numerous countries, so the Indian media has built a sizeable presence on the international media scene.
During the coronavirus pandemic, media persons have been in step with the frontline fighters with their response. The notion that the media is the fourth pillar of democracy has been most strongly reaffirmed in the case of the world’s biggest democracy during the pandemic. Along with health and essential supplies such as grocery and food, precise and fast news was also important to Indians during these challenging times. Then Indian media’s role in bridging the gap between this nation and the world during this critical time did not go unnoticed by the PM.
The Prime Minister welcomed the honesty with which the media has reported during COVID-19, not failing to point out the shortcomings of the government in the response to the pandemic. He also said the media was not spared criticism and this only went to show that constructive criticism should be accepted by everyone.
For Swachh Bharat Abhiyan as well as the recent Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign, the Prime Minister lauded the efforts of media in spreading information about, and intention behind, government initiatives.
Stressing on the recent elevation of India at international forums, PM Modi said India has created its own identity and space on the global map. A free and efficient media with credibility will amplify this message and further strengthen India’s position in the global community. Along with Made in India products, the Prime Minister noted, the Indian media is also grabbing the world’s attention and it should start capitalizing on the opportunity to be a globally recognized media.
The Indian media is already a formidable force and these words from the Prime Minister himself should motivate it to take a strong and unbiased stand on news and information. India is all set to become a global leader in many areas and countries will look to it for leadership and guidance. Its media has the challenge of being a world-class entity that can be relevant to people across borders.
If properly positioned, the Indian media can be a beacon of truth and hope for those within the country and even outside it. It needs to rise above petty and sensationalist journalism and instead play – through proper observation, analysis and reporting – a crucial role in resolving the issues faced by India and the world.
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