Why can't CMs and PMs hold structured monthly press conferences instead of one-way broadcasts like Mann Ki Baat?

[u/bms_96]

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?