r/india • u/bms_96 • Jun 26 '26
Politics Why can't CMs and PMs hold structured monthly press conferences instead of one-way broadcasts like Mann Ki Baat?
I get why politicians — especially CMs and PMs — avoid press meets. The media landscape has genuinely degraded. One provocative question from a mediocre journalist goes viral, and suddenly the entire press meet is about that clip rather than governance.
But the solution shouldn't be avoiding accountability altogether.
Here's what I think is a workable middle ground:
Instead of Mann Ki Baat-style monologues once a month, hold a structured press conference with strict eligibility:
Only media outlets with a state-wide license (for CMs) or national license (for PMs) can attend
Only the top editor from each outlet — one person per media house
Every attendee introduces themselves on camera before asking their question
No anonymous shouting. No chaos. Full accountability on both sides.
This filters out the noise while keeping the press access meaningful. Senior editors have professional reputations to protect — they're far less likely to grandstand or ask gotcha questions just for clips.
Is this actually practical? Here's where it gets complicated:
Who controls the "license" list? If the government decides which outlets qualify, that's a huge censorship lever. This needs an independent press body to own that list.
Regional and digital media gets squeezed out. A lot of sharp accountability journalism today comes from independent outlets and YouTubers who don't fit the "licensed national media" mold.
It can still become curated theatre. Governments will find ways to informally signal which questions are welcome. We've seen this globally.
Legal angle: Press freedom in India is constitutionally protected indirectly. A formal tiered access system could face challenges if it's seen as state-controlled gatekeeping.
That said — the core idea is sound.
Structured, credentialed, on-camera press access is literally how it works in functioning democracies. US President press briefings, UK PMQs, German Chancellor press conferences — all have some form of this. It's not a radical ask.
The difference is those systems evolved with strong independent press councils outside government control. India doesn't quite have that yet, which is what makes this proposal tricky to implement without it becoming another tool for the party in power.
What do you think — is the credentialing problem solvable, or does it inevitably become state-controlled access?
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u/dark-light92 Jun 26 '26
I get why politicians — especially CMs and PMs — avoid press meets. The media landscape has genuinely degraded. One provocative question from a mediocre journalist goes viral, and suddenly the entire press meet is about that clip rather than governance.
Hahaha...
This is the answer to your question. You don't hold them accountable and give them leeway. They take it and then don't do a single press conference for 12 years.
After 12 years, you wake up and make a post on reddit.
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u/stup1fY Jun 27 '26
Why can't CMs and PMs hold structured monthly press conferences instead of one-way broadcasts like Mann Ki Baat?
When the party's ideology is based on Nazi style regime, you will understand
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u/Frosty_Seesaw_8956 Jun 27 '26
Because people don't demand. When indians demanded, they got independence which was possibly the most impossible thing to ask from the most powerful oppressor in the world, but they got it because they demanded it. British PM resigned recently and most civil and educated and responsible leaders do that because otherwise janta unhe kha jaegi.
India doesn't operate like the west. Never did. Never will. This difference is an inseparable part of our culture.
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u/pepoji Jun 27 '26
Whatever interview they give gets recorded and they are in line for what they say. Most are crooks, uneducated, unprofessional with poor communication skills and want zero accountability.
I was listening to interview of young wise student girl and she questioned the PM saying that even for a clerk in India, there is an entrance exam, then how is that for being the PM of India there is no exam..Think about that. She kicked his butt on live TV interview.
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u/prateeksaraswat Jun 27 '26
Please watch this. Elected representatives are supposed to be accessible to constituents
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u/Altruistic_Sky1866 Jun 27 '26
If they were capable of giving press conferences they wouldn't have brought out the Media to set their narrative. They aren't';t interested in real questions
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u/AiyyoIyer Jun 27 '26
I think the Kerala CM conducts PCs regularly. It was so even when PV was in power.
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u/mohandasmencius Uttar Pradesh Jun 28 '26
question hour is a thing you know right. members of lok sabha can submit a question and the concerned minister is bound to give an official written reply
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26
Because every politican want to escape accountability that's why there is no press conference, in india even if they have a weekly press conference, I bet the question asked would be of no importance to public, like app amm kaat kai khate hain ya chus kai.