BEA takes exception to Modi's criticism of media

Broadcast Editors' Association today termed as "objectionable" Narendra Modi's criticism of the role of Indian media in its interaction with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, and charged that he has demeaned the institution and shown it in poor light.

Broadcast Editors' Association today termed as "objectionable" Narendra Modi's criticism of the role of Indian media in its interaction with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, and charged that he has demeaned the institution and shown it in poor light.

"Broadcast Editors' Association finds Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's statement against Indian media at a public rally in New Delhi today as objectionable. The BEA believes that such a statement aims at demeaning Indian media, which is a key institution of democracy," BEA president Shazi Zaman said in a statement.

BEA General Secretary N K Singh said the body is disturbed at the attempt to project Indian media team visiting the UN in a poor light.

"Modi's statement has been made without knowing the full facts of the matter and without realising the dignified role media is expected to play at international fora," he said.

BEA said the Indian media understands its responsibility and its code of conduct.

During his rally here, Modi expressed strong disapproval over Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif purportedly calling his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh a "village woman".

Modi, who made an issue of the comments, said, "The journalists who were sitting in front of Nawaz Sharif when he was insulting our Prime Minister should also answer to the people of my country.

"I want to ask those journalists, I don't know who were they but journalists of my country who were having sweets sitting with Nawaz Sharif when he was abusing our Prime Minister calling him village woman, I expected those Indian journalists, the country expected them, to refuse the sweets and walk out," he said.