4. R. Jagannathan - “It’s the PM’s choice whether he wants to meet the media or not”

In this episode, R Jagannathan, editorial director of Swarajya, a centre-right publication, tells Savyasaachi Jain and Nirupama Subramanian that the ruling party has always been very keen on managing the media, referring to Narendra Modi’s lack of willingness in being interviewed as something not new to India’s media landscape.  He claims that the use of draconian laws being used against journalists today is not unique to the BJP government, adding that other state governments use the same instruments, as did the preceding UPA government. Jagannathan also talks about the media revenue model that has made news organisations dependent on the government of the day, but argues that the diversity of ownership across the country ensures that all shades of opinion are represented.