Prime Minister Narendra Modi justified his decision not to hold press conferences by saying that the nature of media had changed and it was not the neutral entity that it used to be, with journalists promoting their views and ideologies.
“I am answerable to the country's Parliament. The media is no more what it used to be. Today, journalists are identified with their own preferences. Media is no longer a non-partisan entity. People are now aware of your beliefs as well. Earlier, media used to be faceless... who is writing in the media, what is its ideology... nobody was bothered about it earlier. However, the situation is not the same any more,” Modi said in an interview, when asked why he doesn't hold press conferences.
The PM said a new culture had developed in politics which was centred on managing the media and not being concerned about performance. “However, I don’t believe in treading that path. I have to work hard and reach out to each household of the poor. I can also get clicked cutting ribbons in Vigyan Bhavan. However, I go to a small district in Jharkhand for a minor project. I have brought a new work culture and it is for the media to take a call whether they endorse it or not,” he said.
Asked about allegations that Election Commission's independence had been compromised on his watch, Modi shot back by recalling instances of CECs taking to politics and holding ministerial positions after their retirement under Congress regimes and by pointing out that the EC was a single-member entity for 56 years. The PM further said four different members of the same family had insulted the Constitution at different times.
