Earlier today, Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati addressed a virtual press conference on “The relevance of peace & trust in the modern world”. The press conference was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the State committee of Turkmenistan for TV & Radio on the 30th anniversary of Independence of Turkmenistan.

Prasar Bharati CEO mentioned how free media is a key pillar of the Indian Democracy, further elaborating upon the importance of media freedom in enhancing trust between nations for the greater global good, “Freedom of Press is an inseparable part of our constitutional rights, and media as a fourth pillar has emerged as a building block of the Indian Democracy. It is the strong, independent and unbiased nature of our media which has helped India play a key role in building trust across the world.”

Talking about the cooperation between India’s public broadcaster and Turkmenistan State media, CEO Vempati said, “I am very proud of the bilateral interaction between Indian and Turkmenistan on media matters. Doordarshan and All India Radio have played a major role in collaborating with media entities in Turkmenistan. I look forward to greater collaboration between Prasar Bharati and the State media in Turkmenistan.”

Fondly remembering the state visit of Prime Minister Modi to Ashgabat in 2015 as a landmark event in India-Turkmenistan bilateral ties, the CEO highlighted how PM Modi’s visit had provided momentum to bilateral relationship between the two countries, which is now growing from strength to strength.

The press conference was also addressed by other representatives of media houses of Turkmenistan and other countries, including Chairman of the State News Agency of Turkmenistan Merdan Gazakbayev, Dy. Chairman of the Interstate Television and Radio of Turkmenistan Vladimir Kozorezov, ABU President Mr Ibrahim Eren, ABU Secretary General Mr Javad, and the DG of Russia Today Aleksey Nikolov.