The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, November 12, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised the media’s contribution to strengthening Indian democracy, describing journalists as an important part of keeping the country’s democratic system vibrant. Addressing a Diwali Milan programme organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he also reflected on his long association with the media and its transformation over the years.
Recalling an incident from 2001, when he was about to become Gujarat Chief Minister, Modi narrated how a group of women journalists confronted him after learning about his impending appointment.
“Gala hi pakad liya unhone. Bola mithai khilao (They caught me by my neck and asked me to treat them with sweets),” the Prime Minister recalled.
He said he initially asked the journalists why they were demanding sweets, to which they replied that he was going to Gujarat to become the Chief Minister. Modi said he had denied knowing about the development, but the journalists insisted that they already had the information.
Modi noted that only a few senior party leaders were aware of the decision at the time, but the journalists had managed to learn about it in advance.
The Prime Minister also recalled his early experiences of interacting with journalists, including his responsibility for managing media arrangements during major party yatras in the early 1990s. He said that sending press releases often involved finding a fax machine and that he had once been responsible for arranging chairs and welcoming journalists at Diwali gatherings.
Reflecting on the changes in media practices, Modi said the industry had evolved from traditional press releases to Instagram reels, podcasts and individual digital platforms.
“From press releases to Insta reel releases, I have witnessed a long evolution of media and media interactions,” he said.
He observed that mobile phones had effectively replaced traditional outside broadcast (OB) vans in many situations, giving individuals the ability to report and share information through their own platforms.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the challenges emerging from the growing number of news platforms and opinions. He said the diversity of perspectives was an important feature of Indian democracy.
“That is why it sometimes feels that there are as many opinions as there are people in the country. And such diverse perspectives uphold our democracy and keep it vibrant,” he said, adding that the Indian media played an important role in this process.
Praising journalists, particularly field reporters, Modi highlighted their commitment to covering difficult situations such as accidents, earthquakes and floods, often putting their own safety at risk to bring news from the ground.
He said journalists routinely work under tight deadlines and appreciated their dedication, noting that their efforts deserved recognition.
Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister urged the media to support the government’s goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, drawing a parallel between journalists’ daily deadlines and the national development target.
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