External control on press not good for society: PM Modi

Asserting that the media played a quintessential role in the freedom of speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday stated that governments should not have any interference in the workings of journalists, as it was detrimental to the society.

Addressing journalists here on the occasion of National Press Day, the Prime Minister called on the media to help in keeping the government informed, adding the practicing restraint and self-analysis could be beneficial.

"We remember how the press council ceased to exist during the Emergency. Things normalised after Morarji Bhai became Prime Minister. External control on the media in any form, is not good for the society," he said.

Talking about the recent reports of journalists being murdered in the country, the Prime Minister added that scribe losing their lives for trying to show the truth, was extremely worrisome.

Recently, two journalists were killed in Bihar in a span of twelve hours.

Dharmendra Singh, a journalist with Dainik Bhaskar, was shot dead by some unidentified assailants when he was having tea at a roadside stall in his village Amra talab of Rohtas district.

His murder came close on the heels of killing of another journalist of a Hindi daily in Siwan, Rajdeo Ranjan, in May.