MUMBAI: Hardly 24 hours into his job and minister of state (independent charge) in the Information and Broadcasting ministry (MIB) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is saying things that could make him the industry’s and more specifically the independent media crowd’s darling.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Rathore emphasised that media has to opt for self-regulation and the government has no plans to regulate news portals and media websites.

He said most publications and TV channels are already self-regulating at various levels, first at the reporting journalist’s level and then at the editor’s desk. He added that this was a model that the government was more than happy to continue with and support wholeheartedly.

He clarified that media had misunderstood reports that it was setting up a committee to frame rules to regulate news portals and media news websites.

The prime minister is very clear that the media in our country is one of the very important pillars of democracy and they have to self-regulate, Rathore highlighted.

He said Prasar Bharati will be strengthened and high priority would be given to better and informative programmes.

He also pointed that “it is about a collective responsibility that media becomes the voice of the people, whether it is Prasar Bharati or private network or channel. We will work in this direction.”

Just yesterday, the baton was handed over from senior minister Smriti Irani to junior Rathore. He now has independent charge while she heads over to textiles. He has been in the ministry for the last four years as state minister and has finally got full command.

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