For any democracy to function strongly, power must face questions. A free press, independent journalism, and open scrutiny are not optional features of democracy — they are its foundation. Yet in recent years, concerns about press freedom, media independence, and political accountability in India have intensified, both domestically and internationally.
One of the most repeated criticisms aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi is that, despite being in office since 2014, he has largely avoided solo press conferences where independent journalists can ask unscripted and critical questions. Critics argue that while the Prime Minister frequently addresses rallies, interviews friendly media outlets, and communicates through speeches and social media, direct accountability through open press interactions remains missing.
Opposition leaders have repeatedly mocked this absence, accusing the Prime Minister of “running away from questions” and avoiding difficult topics such as unemployment, inflation, communal violence, human rights concerns, and democratic backsliding. During election campaigns and parliamentary debates, opposition figures have often challenged Modi to hold unrestricted press conferences similar to those regularly conducted by leaders in many democracies.
The criticism is not limited to political opponents. International watchdogs and press freedom organizations have also raised concerns about the condition of journalism in India. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), India ranked 159th out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, before slightly improving to 151st in 2025. However, the broader trend over the years has shown a decline from earlier positions.
In its assessment, RSF stated that press freedom in India is facing a crisis marked by violence against journalists, concentrated media ownership, and increasing political pressure on independent media organizations.
The organization noted that journalists often face intimidation, legal threats, surveillance, arrests, and online harassment, especially when reporting on sensitive issues such as corruption, minority rights, Kashmir, or government failures.
Human rights organizations have similarly expressed concerns about shrinking democratic space in India. Critics point to arrests under anti-terror or sedition-related laws, internet shutdowns, restrictions on activists, and crackdowns on dissent. While the Indian government rejects these accusations and maintains that India remains a vibrant democracy with constitutional protections, debate around these issues continues to grow globally.
Supporters of the government argue that India still has a highly diverse media environment, noisy television debates, active opposition voices, and massive online political participation. They claim that international rankings often fail to understand India’s scale and complexity. Government representatives have repeatedly defended India’s democratic institutions and dismissed foreign criticism as biased or politically motivated.
Yet critics counter that democracy is tested not when leaders speak, but when they are questioned. They argue that accountability requires open dialogue with independent journalists — including uncomfortable and hostile questions. In many democracies, regular press conferences are seen as a crucial mechanism through which elected leaders explain decisions and defend policies publicly.
The larger concern, according to observers, is not simply about one press conference. It is about the growing perception that institutions meant to question power — journalists, activists, universities, civil society groups, and opposition parties — are increasingly pressured or dismissed. For many, India’s falling rankings in press freedom and rising concerns around human rights symbolize a deeper democratic challenge.
India proudly calls itself the world’s largest democracy. But democracy is measured not only by elections or parliamentary majorities. It is also measured by how freely journalists can report, how safely citizens can criticize power, and how willing leaders are to face difficult questions in public.
As debates over accountability and freedom continue, one question remains central: can a democracy truly remain strong if those in power are rarely directly questioned by the people’s press?
Barrister M A Siddiqui