CQ- Press freedom essential, no external regulation: Prakash Javadekar

Prakash Javadekar newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister, just after assuming charge on 27th May has stated that Modi government believes in freedom of press as it is the essence of democracy and no "external" regulation has worked in media 

"We believe that press freedom is the essence of democracy. And to make democracy a success, we require this press freedom because it gives people the choice in a rainbow of differing opinions," the Minister said. 

Javadekar said that dissent has its place in democracy and added that the government would welcome constructive criticism. 

 The I&B minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been saying that to run a government a majority is needed but to run the country cooperation of all is required. 

Speaking to media persons, Javadekar said that it is a joint mission to see that India prospers to its potential by 2025 and progresses much further by 2030. 

"These will be important landmarks," he said. When queried about remarks reportedly made by his predecessor Manish Tewari that the I&B ministry belonged to a past era, Javdekar replied that an institution can be brought to an end quickly but it takes time to nurture work culture in an institution. 

He said that he would study in detail issues related to his ministry and then give a presentation to the Prime Minister after which a course for the future would be charted out. 

The Minister was asked whether interviews on Doordarshan would be edited, to which he said "never". The question was apparently made in the backdrop of the controversy over editing of a Narendra Modi interview by the national channel during the election campaigning. 

On a query related to Prasar Bharati, Javadekar said he would examine the matters in greater depth.

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/national-news/item/5000-cq-press-freedom-essential,-no-external-regulation-prakash-javadekar.html
Source: http://cablequest.org/news/national-news/item/5000-cq-press-freedom-essential,-no-external-regulation-prakash-javadekar.html