In the backdrop of restrictions on screening of the controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the US has said it favoured freedom of Press and expression around the world and has conveyed this point to India as well. This US assertion came days after it steered clear of the controversy and said it was not “familiar” with it. Asked by a Pakistani journalist on Wednesday about the US’ views on the ban on the documentary, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said it supports the importance of a free Press around the world and has made the point in India as well.
“I’ll say generally, when it comes to this, we support the importance of a free Press around the world,” Price replied. “We continue to highlight the importance of democratic principles, such as freedom of expression, freedom of religion or belief, as human rights that contribute to the strengthening of our democracies.
“This is a point we make in our relationships around the world. It’s certainly a point we’ve made in India as well,” he added. Last week, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended Prime Minister Modi and distanced himself from the BBC documentary series, saying he "does not agree with the characterisation" of his Indian counterpart.
The BBC's two-part series on Modi's tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat (during the 2002 riots) sparked a major controversy and hence, was removed from social media platforms.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had responded to the BBC story by saying it was entirely biased. "We think this is a propaganda piece. This has no objectivity. This is biased. Do note that this hasn't been screened in India. We do not want to answer more on this so that this does not get much dignity," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said.