Foreign journalist’s revelation on Modi government causes new twitter trend #ModiMediaGate

Annie Gowen, staff writer for the Washington Post caused a huge embarrassment for  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday with her tweet informing that private PR companies representing Indian government had approached them twice in ‘recent weeks.’

She tweeted;

We have been contacted twice in recent weeks by private PR companies representing Indian govt. officials. Good use of govt funds? @PMOIndia

— Annie Gowen (@anniegowen) November 27, 2015

Modi’s detractors have been quick to interpret it as the government’s attempt to ‘manipulate’ the foreign media. The centre’s BJP government has always been accused of dictating editorial decisions of Indian media through various means including luring them with financial benefits. This has led to severe loss of credibility for media in India.

Twitter users suspect that Gowen’s extraordinary revelation is a sign that the government is now using similar tactics against foreign media too.

Foreign media has been very critical of Modi’s style of functioning and his performance in recent months. Big international news brands such as Washington Post, New York Times and Guardian have carried several articles and editorials unfavourable to PM Modi.

Here are few recent headlines carried by Washington Post in in the last couple of months.

‘Indian Prime Minister Modi cried at Facebook. Here’s why.’ on 28 September

‘Modi makes a lot of overseas trips, but is he a diplomatic failure with India’s neighbors?’ on 23 September

‘Mark Zuckerberg made a big mistake when he got between India’s Modi and a TV camera’ on29 September

‘India’s Modi wants to woo Silicon Valley, but censorship and privacy fears grow at home’ on 23 September

As expected twitter has been buzzing with conversation on Gowen’s revelation with users dubbing this as Modi Media Gate. The hashtag #ModiMediaGate has been a top trend since Saturday morning.

Here’s a snapshot of twitter conversation;

https://twitter.com/skull_baba/status/670460905482665984

https://twitter.com/CensorBot/status/670465084947193856

The Bureau Chief (India) of Washington Post alleges PR companies of Indian govt trying to influence#ModiMediaGate pic.twitter.com/EWhev7544F

— Youth Congress (@IYC) November 28, 2015

latest nationalist way to use and finish the #blackmoney by GoI by sending it to foreign PR agencies #ModiMediaGate pic.twitter.com/PPAPcZCdOa

— Farhan Shah #WithRG (@farhanindian) November 28, 2015

Our mainstream media has been transformed into a Ministry of Propaganda.BJP hucksters masquerading as Journalists . #modimediagate

— INCian (@INCTharoorian) November 28, 2015

Kudos! @anniegowen fr being honest to ur profession. As contemplated by many this gov truly is PR hungry gov. #ModiMediaGate

— GonnaGetYou (@Als0kn0wnAs) November 28, 2015

#ModiMediaGate is expected from illiterate liar fake govt, which is good at jumlas and managing media on taxpayer money

— Mrutyunjay (@SamratKharavela) November 28, 2015

Entire media is not @TimesNow . Some follow journalistic ethics too. #ModiMediaGate pic.twitter.com/8sb1MfC8Mu

— Maharashtra Congress (@INCMaharashtra) November 28, 2015

+…the Govt doesn't want to spend on people but rather on PR agencies to influence the foreign media? Misplaced priorities. #ModiMediaGate

— Gaurav Pandhi गौरव पांधी (@GauravPandhi) November 28, 2015

Govt is trying to influence the foreign media too, using tax payer's money for paid news #ModiMediaGate pic.twitter.com/bQfMr4vzUm

— INC Volunteers (@INCVolunteers) November 28, 2015

Modi is using tax payer's hard earned money for paid news. Shame! #ModiMediaGate pic.twitter.com/gcNZqbsSeU

— শেখর | شکر (@MangoBwoy) November 28, 2015

जब देश की मिडिया ने इनके झूठे वादे की पोल खोलने की तैयारी की तो विदेशी मीडिया का सहारा लेना शुरु कर दिया #ModiMediaGate

— Raju Sharma (@RajuSharma_) November 28, 2015

Indian Govt shd come clean on this development. #ModiMediaScam #ModiMediaGate #ModiPRGate #ModiPRScam ? https://t.co/djnm0Kba3R

— Syed Maqbool (@maqbool_sm) November 27, 2015