Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Chennai today to attend the platinum jubilee function of a vernacular daily.
On landing in Chennai, PM Modi discussed the situation arising due to heavy rains and floods in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu with the Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy CM O. Panneerselvam. He assured them of all assistance from the Centre.
PM Modi later addressed 75 years celebration of Daily Thanthi. Here is the highlight of his speech:
# Can media devote just a little space to report or increase awareness about what we can do to combat climate change?: PM Modi
# Natural calamities seem to be occurring with increasing frequency across the world. Can media take a lead in the battle against climate change?: Modi
# A lot of the media discourse today revolves around politics. However, India is more than just us politicians. It is the 125 crore Indians, which make India what it is. I would be happy to see media focus a lot more, on their stories, and their achievements: PM Modi: PM Modi
# Healthy competition among credible media platforms is also good for the health of our democracy: PM Modi
# Today, every citizen analyses & attempts to verify the news that comes to him through multiple sources. Media, therefore, must make an extra effort to maintain credibility: Modi
# As scholars say, it is an instrument to produce reform through peace, rather than by force. Hence, it has as much social accountability as the elected government or the judiciary: PM Modi
# Even though media may be owned by private individuals, it serves a public purpose: PM Modi
# Mahatma Gandhi said: “The press is called the Fourth Estate. It is definitely a power, but, to misuse that power is criminal.": PM Modi
# Editorial freedom must be used wisely in public interest. The freedom to write, does not include the freedom to be 'factually incorrect': PM Modi
# I have often heard people wonder, as to how the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper: PM
# The role of newspapers published in regional languages remains as important today, as it was then: PM
# The then British Government was fearful of the Indian Vernacular Press. It was to muzzle vernacular newspapers, that the Vernacular Press Act was enacted in 1878: Modi
# In a broader context, media is a means of transforming society. That is why we refer to the media as the fourth pillar of democracy: PM Modi
# Today, newspapers do not just give news. They can also mould our thinking & open a window to the world: PM Modi
PM Modi will also be meeting DMK President M Karunanidhi here today. DMK sources also confirmed the meet, saying the two leaders are scheduled to meet at 12.30 PM at Karunanidhi's Gopalapuram residence.
Karunanidhi fell ill in October, 2016 due to a drug-induced allergy. In December last, he was admitted to the Kauvery Hospital here twice.
The prime minister will also attend the wedding of the daughter of Dr TV Somanathan, a retired PMO official, at Raja Annamalaipuram.
