Every year, May 3 is commemorated as World Press Freedom Day by the United Nations. The idea is to get people to understand the importance of a free press and to remind democracies around the world of their commitment towards freedom of expression. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn’t require much reminding, though, as he tweeted early morning today, extending his “unwavering” support to a “free and vibrant” press.
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ContributeModi’ second tweet underscored the importance of social media in adding “more vigour” to press freedom.
While that’s all good and fine, we certainly hope the PM was not alluding to the sort of vigour with which social media members *cough trolls cough* go at journalists.
Meanwhile, it’s a good day to remember that India is far from being a safe haven for journalists. It dropped three places on the World Press Freedom index and ranks 136. One of the challenges facing journalists is the threat from “Modi’s Hindutva”, according to the report.
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