President speaks for a fearless media

Speaking at the Ramnath Goenka Lecture, the President, Pranab Mukherjee said that the need to ask questions of those in power is fundamental for the preservation of the nation and the health of a democracy, especially at a time when those who make the loudest noise tend to drown out those who disagree.

While delivering the second Ramnath Goenka Lecture at the invitation of The Indian Express he said, “There should always be room for the Argumentative Indian but not for the Intolerant Indian.” The blank editorial published by The Indian Express during Emergency

Praising the fearlessness and integrity of Ramnath Goenka who stood for freedom to write and publish what was just and true, the President mentioned the blank editorial published by The Indian Express during Emergency, under the leadership of Ramnath Goenka. It was perhaps one of the strongest protests ever published against censorship in India.
It spoke more loudly than any words could have.

Referring to the growing instances of “fake news”, “paid news” and “alternative facts” in today’s highly competitive news environment, the President observed: “Media houses need to ask themselves how they can find sustainable economic models that will allow them to resist all kinds of pressures and let them perform their role with honesty and transparency.”

Constitution is our bedrock

Our Constitution is a testament to the accommodation of our differences within the framework of an overarching idea of India. What makes us Indians is our spirit of tolerance and accommodation towards each other and those who differ from us. That has been the survival mantra of our civilisation over generations.

The lecture gains significance as perhaps one of the last important messages of the present President (term completes in July) and in the background of press which has long since stopped questioning the powerful.