Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing renewed criticism from international media over his repeated avoidance of independent journalists during official overseas visits.
According to the channel report, several global media outlets have described his foreign trips as platforms for domestic and international image-building rather than opportunities for open engagement with the press.
According to Al Jazeera, a New Zealand journalist questioned Modi during his official visit over his reluctance to face the media. The report noted that this was the third such incident in less than two months in which the Indian prime minister avoided taking questions from journalists while abroad.
The report further stated that before his visit to New Zealand, Modi also declined to engage with Australian media during his official trip to Australia, drawing criticism over his continued reluctance to hold open press interactions.
Indian journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty said that the media environment in India has come under increasing international scrutiny over the past 11 years. She argued that the country’s so-called “Godi media” culture is now facing criticism beyond India’s borders, with growing concerns about the government’s relationship with independent journalism.
The ongoing criticism highlights broader international concerns over press freedom and transparency, with questions continuing to be raised about the Indian prime minister’s limited engagement with independent media during official foreign visits.
