PMO tells all ministries to counter ‘negative’ image

PIB to send daily ‘action taken’ information

In a bid to spruce up the government’s image, the PMO has sought daily feedback from all ministries on action being taken on “negative” reports appearing in the media.

The PMO wants the ministries to reveal if the “negative” media stories are factually correct or not, and if true what remedial measures have been taken by them. This is the first time such a step has been initiated by the government and it has made the information and broadcasting ministry the nodal point to interact with all ministries on this issue.

The Press Information Bureau has been given this task, and it is learnt I&B secretary Sunil Arora is personally monitoring the assignment.

Soon after being sworn in, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had started keeping close tabs on the “negative” media stories about his government.

However, sources said, this is the first time that ministries have been asked to submit compliance reports on the action taken about the negative news stories in the media. The PIB is now sending a daily bulletin to the PMO on the stories in the national media.

The response of each affected ministry is also included in this bulletin.