Kochi: Freedom of the press is the essence of democracy and the Narendra Modi-led NDA government always stands for it, declared Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar at the Manorama News Conclave 2019 here on Friday.

He was speaking on 'New India: Government and Media' at the conclave, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video-conferencing from New Delhi.

“The prime minister gave a thought provoking vision about new India. New India comes up with people's participation. Perform, reform and transform are the three visions for new India,” Javadekar said, briefing his government's plan to move forward.

Recollecting the protests against the 1975 Emergency and the censorship of media, the minister said one of the major aims of the protest was to protect media freedom.

Javadekar, however, made it clear that freedom should always be responsible freedom. Citing incidents of mob lynchings over rumours of child kidnapping, he said it's an example of irresponsible use of media.

He categorically stated that his government “will never restrict media freedom”. Later answering a query from the audience, the minister said restrictions on media in Jammu and Kashmir, imposed after the abrogation of the Article 370, are being lifted progressively. “All newspapers are being printed in Kashmir. News reporters are on the field. Restrictions are being lifted everyday,” he said.

Prior to the interaction, Javadekar said his government is always willing to accept criticism.

“We accept all sorts of criticisms. That's democracy. We never stop somebody from criticising us,” he said in reply to a question on whether the government prefers blind support to blind criticism. Javadekar quoted a Marathi proverb to drive his point home. “You must have a house of critic in your neighbourhood,” he said.

Poverty-free India

Stating that new India is also poverty-free India, Javadekar, who is also the minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said the government's aim is to “generate more wealth and distribute prosperity not poverty.”