Do homework before taking on Congress in media debate: Narendra Modi

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New Delhi: BJP Election Campaign Committee head Narendra Modi asked party spokespersons and panelists to take on Congress and experts having leanings towards that party in media debates on news channels only after indepth and comprehensive research.
A media workshop held here to educate party spokespersons, panelists and media cell office-bearers from across the country was addressed by Modi, BJP President Rajnath Singh, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and her Rajya Sabha counterpart Arun Jaitley, among others.
Modi, who was the star speaker at the conclave, asked the party spokespersons and panelists to prepare comprehensively, talk to experts, go through material on the internet before they argue on behalf of the party on an issue.
In an interesting observation, BJP's Election Campaign Committee Chief said the media is influenced in a big way by the activity and opinion building on the social media throughthe day.
Sources said Modi pointed out that the editors and reporters of various newspapers toe this line and hence there is a need to have a presence there.
He also cautioned that several news channels invite experts in their debates who have leanings towards Congress and this tilts the balance in favour of the ruling party.
This can only be countered by indepth research by BJP spokespersons who participate on behalf of the party in such programmes.
"Do proper research and only then face the cameras. Be comprehensive in your criticism of the ruling party so that it is properly conveyed to the voters. Participate only indebates on issues on which you are well-versed and have a hold," Modi reportedly said.
Rajnath Singh asked the party leaders not to visit a TV studio just because they have been invited and even when they are not aware of the issue. Neither should party panelists saysomething objectionable and later reason that they said so as a question was posed to them or they got provoked, he added.