Overview
- On Thursday the Editors Guild of India formally criticised remarks by MEA Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon that defended the prime minister’s practice of avoiding unscripted press questions.
- Tandon told journalists in Auckland that Mr. Modi prefers direct contact with a largely rural electorate and that it would be improper for a civil servant to question the prime minister’s political method.
- The guild called that defence 'deeply flawed' and said scripted, one-way communications and social media outreach cannot replace journalists asking independent questions on behalf of the public.
- Coverage and statements noted the practice is long-standing: Prime Minister Modi has not held a public, unscripted press conference in more than a decade, and the issue resurfaced after a confrontation in Oslo earlier this year.
- The Editors Guild warned the ministry’s explanations chill free speech and urged routine, accountable answers on urgent political and economic matters, a demand that could shape future scrutiny of government communications.