US President Donald Trump held a press conference yesterday after the midterms, where he called CNN‘s Jim Acosta “the enemy of the people”—with the White House later revoking Acosta’s press badge—and called PBS‘s Yamiche Alcindor’s question “racist” for questioning him about white nationalism. As extraordinary as the interaction was, there are still lessons to be learned in India.
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ContributeSocial media asked when journalists in India would “take on” Narendra Modi in the same way, asking hard-hitting questions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has still not held a single press conference since he assumed office in 2014. Modi has only given pre-scripted interviews to some news channels perceived as being friendly to the government, including Republic and Zee News. He also provides one-sided interactions during his radio programme Mann Ki Baat. Modi’s current term will end next year.
For a summary of Modi’s “special relationship” with the mainstream media, watch this video Newslaundry made in May.
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