Russia describes BBC documentary on Modi as `info war against global power with independent policy’

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Russia has described BBC documentary on PM Narendra Modi an “information war” against “global centers of power pursuing an independent policy”.

At MFA weekly press briefing in Moscow, in reply to a question seeking Russian ‘comment’ on BBC documentary on PM Modi “and the oppression of minorities in India,” spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, “I’m not sure if this is a question for us. First of all, it should be commented on in Delhi. Our Indian friends have already commented on this situation. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is yet another evidence that the BBC is waging an information war on various fronts – not only against Russian Federation… but also against other global centers of power pursuing an independent policy.”

“After a certain number of years, it turns out that the BBC is fighting even within the British establishment, being an instrument of the interests of some groups against others. We need to treat this accordingly. This is not an independent TV and radio corporation, but a dependent one, often neglecting the basic requirements of the journalism profession,” according to Zakharova.

Earlier Germany’s Foreign Ministry on Friday reacted to India’s decision to ban the BBC documentary on Narendra Modi, stating that freedom of the press and speech is important.

Talking about the ongoing controversy around the documentary in India, a foreign ministry’s spokesperson, during a regular press briefing, in German said, “The constitution (of India) enshrines fundamental rights and freedoms. Freedom of the press and speech are among those. Germany shares these values with our India partners. Germany stands up for these values all over the world and which we, of course, discuss with India on regular basis.”

Earlier US State Department spokesperson, Ned Price had also commented on the controversy. He had said it was a “matter of press freedom”, stating that it was high time to highlight the importance of democratic principles like freedom of expression and make it a point around the world as well as in India.

`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 don’t want to answer more on this so that this doesn’t get much dignity,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said. (The Economic Times)