The Editors Guild of India has expressed serious concern over the recent interactions between Indian officials and journalists during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway and the Netherlands. In a statement released on Sunday, the Guild described the exchanges as ’embarrassing’ and highlighted a particular incident where questions from local media were met with resistance from the Prime Minister.

On May 18, Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen posed a critical question regarding Modi’s tendency to avoid engaging with the press during public events. This moment reignited discussions about Modi’s historical reluctance to hold press conferences, a practice that has been increasingly scrutinized by both domestic and international media.

The Editors Guild pointed out that while countries like Norway and the Netherlands enjoy top positions in the World Press Freedom Index—ranking first and second respectively—India finds itself languishing at a troubling 157th out of 180 nations. This disparity raises pressing questions about media freedom and the government’s commitment to democratic principles, particularly in a context where journalists are supposed to hold power accountable.

In their statement, the Guild acknowledged that while there might be differing opinions regarding the methodologies used to assess press freedom globally, India’s ‘abysmal position’ in such rankings is a cause for serious concern. This predicament, they argue, reflects a diminishing space for the media in fulfilling its vital role in a democratic society.

Furthermore, the Editors Guild noted that even if Western journalists may not fully grasp the complexities of India’s past or the significance of the press during the freedom struggle, their call for journalistic inquiry in a democracy is valid. The Guild emphasized that constraining media freedoms adversely impacts not just the economy but society as a whole, suggesting a need for introspection regarding the treatment of the press in India.