Modi regime putting pressure on media to toe its line: Mamata

Going all guns blazing at the Narendra Modi-led Central government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that it was putting pressure on the media to toe its line and urged the fourth estate to bring out the truth without being afraid.

She claimed that the media was "so afraid" that a large section had turned into the "His Master's voice (HMV)" of the Central government.

"I don't know why the media is so afraid. Media must tell the truth. I know they are pressurising you also. But you must play your role," Banerjee told media persons here.

When a scribe sought her reactions on Prime Minister Narendra Modi not holding a single press conference during his three and half year stint so far, Banerjee said: "They give a damn to you. Are your approach to them the same as with others? If any media person does not toe their line, they call up the management and take his job. There are so many instances of such happenings."

"One section of the media is fighting. But what about the others? Whatever the government is saying, media is disseminating it like 'His Master's Voice'."

--IANS

ssp/vd