Rahul Gandhi: Press freedom is very critical for a democracy

Rahul Gandhi recently visited the US and interacted with the journalists at the National Press Club in Washington DC. The US trip included a visit to New York, Washington DC and San Francisco. He gave his point of view on a range of topics and spoke at length on certain issues. The Congress leader asserted that press freedom was under threat in India and the world can see the same. This statement had severe repercussions as the BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of spoiling India’s image on foreign land.

Speaking on press freedom and how it affects democracy, Rahul said press freedom is very critical for a functional democracy and one should be open to criticism. “There is a weakening of press freedom in India. It is apparent in India and the whole world can see it too.”

Emphasising on the same point, he said there is a clampdown on the institutional framework that allowed India to talk and Indian people to negotiate. “I view India as a negotiation between its people, between different cultures, languages and histories. Mahatma Gandhi set up the framework to enable that negotiation fairly and freely. That structure, which allows this negotiation, is coming under pressure.”

He added that there was a definite capture of institutions and press back home. “I don’t believe everything I hear. I walked across India and spoke to millions of Indians. They didn’t seem very happy to me. They agreed that there were serious issues such as inflation.”