Cover more than just politics, take lead on climate change: PM Narendra Modi's message to the media

Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Daily Thanthi newspaper and said the media is an instrument to produce reform through peace, rather than by force, hence, it has as much social accountability as the elected government or the judiciary.

While addressing the gathering at the event the Prime Minister said, “A lot of the media discourse today revolves around politics. However, India is more than just us politicians,” adding that “It is the 125 crore Indians, which make India what it is.”

The PM said he would be happy to see media focus a lot more, on their stories, and their achievements.

Raising the issue of Freedom of Expression, the PM said, “Editorial freedom must be used wisely in public interest. The freedom to write, does not include the freedom to be 'factually incorrect'.

Commenting on the media coverage, the PM urged the journos to highlight the climate change, which is severely affecting the planet Earth.

“Natural calamities seem to be occurring with increasing frequency across the world. Can media take a lead in the battle against climate change? Can media devote just a little space to report or increase awareness about what we can do to combat climate change?,” the PM said.

He quoted Mahatma Gandhi to make his point. “The press is called the Fourth Estate. It is definitely a power, but, to misuse that power is criminal."

PM Modi is on a day-long visit to Tamil Nadu will also meet former chief minister M Karunanidhi.