Dozens are facing criminal prosecution, including for sedition. In recent years, journalists have been arrested and some are stopped from traveling abroad. India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, dismissed the report’s claims at an event last month. “With an average of three or four journalists killed in connection with their work every year, India is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for media,” the report said. READ MORE: India’s Modi gets glitzy reception in state visit with Biden, but human rights concerns raised The organization cited violence against journalists and a partisan media landscape as reasons that “press freedom is in crisis in the world’s largest democracy.” The country fell eleven places, to 160 out of 180 countries, in this year’s Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders. The decline in press freedom didn’t start with Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, but it’s increased. Modi’s action, Mukhopadhyay said, “allows him to project an image as a more reasonable and democratic leader abroad, while he continues to evade press conferences at home, where he has scant regard for press freedom.” He suggested that Modi should not get much credit for any press conference in Washington if only a few questions were allowed. “His silences are legendary – he has never asked people to refrain from sectarian violence,” said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author of a Modi biography. He has also not commented on current ethnic violence roiling India’s remote northeast, where at least 100 people have died since May. He uses these platforms to highlight government programs, inaugurate infrastructure projects and express condolences when an accident or tragedy strikes.īut Modi has often remained silent on polarizing incidents, including when religious minorities have faced attacks by Hindu nationalists. Modi is active on social media where hundreds of millions follow him, hosts a monthly radio program where he directly connects with listeners, and often makes big speeches. However, Modi has loosened up a little in the company of American counterparts.Įight years ago, when President Barack Obama visited India, Modi answered questions from two reporters, including one from The Associated Press. The Indian delegation had insisted then that no press conference be held, according to a German official, who spoke only on condition of anonymity. Modi also tends to keep reporters at a distance during overseas trips, such as last year in Germany, when the two countries announced a clean energy deal. Sometimes when asked questions he’ll defer to others on stage with him. Modi defended India by saying “democracy runs in our veins” and insisting that there is ”absolutely no space for discrimination.”ĮXPLAINER: Here’s what to know about India’s ties with RussiaĪlthough Modi, who is 72, has granted sporadic interviews since becoming India’s leader nine years ago, he has never held a solo press conference. Indian officials agreed to the event only the day before, according to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations.Īdministration officials told Modi’s advisers that taking questions from the media was a standard part of how White House state visits are conducted, the person said.Īn Indian reporter asked about addressing climate change, and an American reporter pressed Modi on human rights concerns- a particularly delicate topic as the United States seeks closer ties with India as a bulwark against China’s influence in the region.
presidents usually hold with foreign leaders, but even that wasn’t easy to arrange with Modi. The news conference was more limited than the kind that U.S. It’s a rare occurrence for the Indian prime minister who avoids unscripted moments and has presided over a steady decline in press freedom in his country. WASHINGTON (AP) - Narendra Modi did something very unusual on Thursday at the White House - he took questions from journalists.
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