2019 has commenced with controversy targeting ‘pliability’ of media in regards to their coverage of Indian politicians.
Photo Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Modirahul.jpg
A controversial statement by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in which he criticised journalist Smita Prakash, the editor of news agency ANI for her interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1st January 2019. In the past also various Indian politicians have referred to journalists as “presstitutes” and “news traders”, even “bazaaru” (saleable commodities) or “dalals” (pimps).
NARRATIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
While holding a press conference over the Rafale controversy, the Congress chief had referred to Prakash as a “pliable journalist”. “He [Modi] does not have the guts to come and sit in front of you. And I am coming here, you can ask me any question. You saw the prime minister’s interview yesterday…matlab pliable journalist, she was asking questions and was even giving answers,” Gandhi said in the press conference. Source: India Today
This statement went viral on Twitter and created a furore.
Smita Prakash responded directly on Twitter:
Photo Credit: Smita Prakash| Twitter
“Dear Mr Rahul Gandhi, cheap shot at your press conference to attack me. I was asking questions not answering. You want to attack Mr Modi, go ahead but downright absurd to ridicule me. Not expected of a president of the oldest political party in the country.” – Smita Prakash
Dear Mr Rahul Gandhi, cheap shot at your press conference to attack me. I was asking questions not answering. You want to attack Mr Modi, go ahead but downright absurd to ridicule me. Not expected of a president of the oldest political party in the country.
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) January 2, 2019
This tweet of Smita Prakash has garnered 16,308 Retweets 39,380 Likes till now.
Photo Credit: Amit Malviya | Twitter
Amit Malviya, national head of BJP’s Information & Technology cell, also responded by sharing a video making a dig at the “pliability’ of journalists interviewing Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and his wife Dimple Yadav, and Arvind Kejriwal.
“Dear Rahul Gandhi, Let me show you what ‘pliable’ means… Enjoy!” – Amit Malviya
https://twitter.com/amitmalviya/status/1080824271025393664
This tweet of Amit Malviya has garnered 5,718 Retweets 9,573 Likes till now.
In reaction, Editors Guild Of India released a statement & expressed concern over Rahul Gandhi’s controversial comments.
The Editors Guild of India has issued a statement. pic.twitter.com/XJ8OAylXxx
— Editors Guild of India (@IndEditorsGuild) January 3, 2019
“The Guild believes journalists should claim no immunity from healthy and civilised criticism. At the same time labelling of journalists is a favourite tactic on the part of the establishment to discredit, delegitimise, and intimidate them,” the guild said in a statement. Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Our readers can view various reactions and content published by News Media in regards to Rahul Gandhi’s controversial statement below:
Editors Guild Issues A Statement After Rahul Gandhi's Attack On ANI's Smita Prakash; Calls Out Negative Labelling Of Journalistshttps://t.co/kogxpZgQNl
— Republic (@republic) January 3, 2019
Editor’s Guild shows ‘concern’ over Rahul Gandhi’s statement on Smita Prakash by slamming BJP and AAPhttps://t.co/F0jiPbg41C
— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) January 3, 2019
Editors Guild of India slams Rahul Gandhi for calling ANI editor-in-chief ‘pliable’https://t.co/02GO11ribW pic.twitter.com/0zBl78w6eh
— ThePrintIndia (@ThePrintIndia) January 3, 2019
The Print:
News Media Articles:
| TOI | India Today | Republic World |
| The Print | Scroll | Amar Ujala |
Our readers can view the New Year interview of PM Modi by Smita Prakash below:
NDTV:
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi on New Year’s day spoke on several important people and political issues including Rafale deal, surgical strikes, demonetisation, triple talaq and Goods and Services Tax in an interview with news agency ANI. He also spoke on BJP’s loss in assembly elections in five states in the recently concluded assembly elections. “In Telangana and Mizoram, nobody gave BJP any chance. In Chhattisgarh, a clear mandate was given, BJP lost. But in two states, there was a hung assembly. Secondly, we were fighting against 15 years of anti-incumbency. We are discussing what was lacking,” PM Modi said Taking a jibe at the opposition, PM Modi said that 2019 elections will be “grand alliance versus the people”. PM Modi also spoke on the Ram Temple issue ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on January 4. “Ordinance on Ram temple can be considered after legal process gets over,” he told ANI.” Source: NDTV
The Quint:
WION:
IN CONCLUSION
Fact Crescendo tags this as Breaking News.
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