Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar underscored the importance of media’s independence and objectivity, emphasizing that “media cannot be a registered, recognized, or unrecognized political party.” Speaking at the ‘NDTV India of the Year Awards 2023-2024’, Dhankhar highlighted the need for media to convey accurate perspectives about India and cautioned against narratives aimed at tarnishing the nation’s image.
Addressing concerns about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Dhankhar reiterated that CAA does not revoke any Indian citizen’s citizenship and is intended to provide relief to persecuted religious minorities without infringing upon the rights of existing citizens. He expressed disappointment over the failure of some to recognize the historical context and positive impact of CAA on persecuted minorities.
Recognizing media as the fourth pillar of democracy, Dhankhar emphasized the importance of media credibility and self-regulation. He stressed that media credibility lies within its own control and urged media to avoid politicization and misinformation. Dhankhar highlighted the responsibility of media to act as a watchdog and curb misinformation for the informed public, which he described as the backbone of democracy.
In his address, Dhankhar appealed to all sectors to practice economic nationalism and praised the work of young journalists in tier two and three cities. He also highlighted India’s economic growth, infrastructural development, and technological advancements.
Acknowledging India’s vibrant democracy, Dhankhar emphasized the importance of equality before the law and transparent governance. Sanjay Pugalia, Editor-in-chief of NDTV, Amitabh Kant, Amjad Ali Khan, awardees, and other dignitaries were present at the event.