Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said the Indian media should promote their country and not be “influenced” by western countries.

Sarma was speaking with journalist Arnab Goswami at the first edition of the News Broadcasters Federation National Conclave. The theme was “Future of News”.

“You don't give the headline when India’s economy surpasses the British economy, who ruled us for hundreds of years. But, you give publicity when the Indian rupee, for some reason, weakens by 50 paise or one rupee. There are people who are constantly opposing the growth of India as a world superpower,” Sarma said.

When Goswami pointed out that it is often said that the media is not critical enough of the current government, Sarma said, “I don't think somebody has voted the media to be the voice of opposition. I think that the media's role should be to promote India, irrespective of the political party. Today certain media, in the name of opposing prime minister Narendra Modi, are actually opposing the country.”

Sarma went on to say that the media should not be influenced by “western thought and western culture”. “Nobody has defined that the media has to play the role of the opposer,” he added.

Sarma’s comments come even as India ranked 150 out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index in 2022. Earlier this year, the union home ministry had said that it does not agree with the views and rankings of the World Press Freedom Index.