In a free country media can take care of its freedom: Rathore

In an independent country, media can can take care of its freedom and they keep monitoring on themselves, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore today said.
The minister on his first visit here after assuming I&B charge, suggested that media regulated itself.
"In the independent country media can take care of its freedom very well. I believe media keep monitoring on themselves..They handle it with care," he said.
Saying that DD and AIR got "amazing reach and potential" in the country, the Centre was focussed on nation's development and not like propaganda from other side of the border.

"Our objective and focus is country's development as our culture is very strong, resourceful and does not need to do any propaganda", he said.
Rathore who was being apprised by his department officials of I&B since he assumed office said, "There will be a lot of difference between previous and present governments. This is the first time the prime minister means what he says. As we are his representatives, we will make sure what he says from a reality and it become a reality. This has to happen in future".

A new social media wing of I&B was coming up very strongly and new modes of communication with higher reach were being explored, he said.

Rathore said besides social media wing, I&B would lay emphasis on community radio expansion in the country for farmers, breeders, marine labourers sitting far away for their work, and the ministry would also think and consider to allow news on FM channels.
He also suggested that a propaganda was happening from the other side of the border and the only way "we can negate that is by counter-propaganda through our strong culture, songs and news."
"Ye (propaganda) unka maksad raha hoga...Vo (border countries) sudhaar chahatein hain (This might be their objective of propaganda...They need improvement in it), he said.
Rathore said, sometimes what was heard in their (leaders) speech there, is not carried in other parts of the country, and vice-versa.