I&B Minister Anurag Thakur laments lack of digital media accountability

There is very little accountability on digital media transformations, unlike the broadcasting and print media, said Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur. He was speaking at the India News Manch, the nation’s largest political convention for 2021, organised by iTV network. The conclave brought together some of India’s most powerful political figureheads and voices, including union and state cabinet ministers and members of Parliament, chief ministers, party presidents, general secretaries, and spokespersons, for some of the most riveting panel discussions and exclusive interviews ahead of the election season.

Speaking at the event, Thakur talked about Modi Government’s accomplishments, the digital revolution, semiconductor chip production, and other topics.

On Wednesday (December 15, 2021), the Cabinet approved a sum of Rs 76,000 crore ($10 billion) for development of semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystem in India. The Cabinet also gave its nod to incentives amounting to Rs 230,000 crore to position India as global hub for electronics manufacturing with semiconductors as the foundational building block.

Replying to a question on the nation’s hopes for semiconductors in the next year, Thakur said, “Semiconductors and digital ecosystems play a significant part in the world of technology. For such resources, we are reliant on other nations. Should India, on the other hand, be completely reliant on foreign nations? India must become self-sufficient. India will produce semiconductor chips on its own. These reforms will also result in an increase in exports and jobs.”

Taking a dig at the Akhilesh Yadav and his party questioning them and asking when the BJP will win the Ram Mandir argument, the minister said, “The construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has begun by our government. Construction on the Kashi Vishvanath Corridor has also begun after a 250-year wait. All of this was accomplished in just five years under Narendra Modi’s leadership. We followed through on our commitment.”

On the uproar by 12 political leaders in Parliament attacking the security personnel and their suspension for the whole Winter Session, Thakur commented, “Parliament is a place to conduct discussions, not a place to cause annoyance. Tearing papers and dancing on the table is a dreadful display of ineptitude. The television and the windows are not meant to be tampered with. It’s a pity some ministers who have been suspended have refused to apologise for their actions.”

“People have the freedom to say whatever they want on social media. Those on social media who attempt to divide the country, on the other hand, are killing thousands of people throughout the world. The spread of false information during the epidemic has wreaked havoc in people’s lives. Are these social media corporations not to blame for these blunders?,” he asked.

Thakur ended by discussing the pandemic condition in India. “Many people attempted to deceive the poor by providing false information regarding India’s immunisation programme. This was an ‘infodemic’ rather than a ‘pandemic’. The government supplied free vaccinations to these folks as well as free food grains for a complete 20 months. The people of India are aware that the BJP administration has constructed highways, toilets, and endowed houses with power and water.” AdGully