NEW DELHI: Thirty foreign journalists based in India have been attacked by senior ABC journalist Avani Dias after another clash with a foreign news organization claiming she was forced out of the country for not following government policy. He blamed the government for forcing him out. It once claimed to host the world’s largest democratic exercise.
In support of Diaz’s claim that her journalism visa was not renewed because her reporting on the Sikh separatist movement “crossed the line,” as the government told her, the journalists told the Indian government in a letter: and urged them to promote important issues. A free press initiative in line with Indian traditions.
“Foreign journalists in India are working to tighten restrictions on visas and journalistic permits for Indian overseas nationals, and Mr. Dias’ departure situation is a further source of concern,” they said in an open letter. expressed strong protest against Diaz’s treatment.
Government officials told Diaz on Tuesday that her claims that she was not allowed to cover the election and were forced to leave the country were false, misleading and mischievous. They said her visa had been renewed two days before her departure, but at the same time accused her of violating visa rules in pursuing her “professional pursuits.”
However, the journalists said in the letter that they were told shortly before they departed that although her visa had been extended for two months, she would not be certified to cover the election. “Thus, while not technically expelling her, Indian authorities have effectively expelled a foreign correspondent on the eve of an election that the government is billing as the world’s largest democratic movement.”
“Mr. Dias, who has been reporting on India since January 2022, left the country on Friday, the first day of the election. He left the country after being informed by the government of reporting on the Sikh separatist movement (reporting has since been blocked in India).” “They did not renew her journalism visa because she had crossed the line,” the letter said. An Indian government official also said that Diaz had actually resigned for personal reasons and that she wanted a new job. On Wednesday, Australia Today said in a report that Ms Diaz returned home “due to her new professional opportunities and her personal milestones, not due to alleged threats by the Indian government.”
In support of Diaz’s claim that her journalism visa was not renewed because her reporting on the Sikh separatist movement “crossed the line,” as the government told her, the journalists told the Indian government in a letter: and urged them to promote important issues. A free press initiative in line with Indian traditions.
“Foreign journalists in India are working to tighten restrictions on visas and journalistic permits for Indian overseas nationals, and Mr. Dias’ departure situation is a further source of concern,” they said in an open letter. expressed strong protest against Diaz’s treatment.
Government officials told Diaz on Tuesday that her claims that she was not allowed to cover the election and were forced to leave the country were false, misleading and mischievous. They said her visa had been renewed two days before her departure, but at the same time accused her of violating visa rules in pursuing her “professional pursuits.”
However, the journalists said in the letter that they were told shortly before they departed that although her visa had been extended for two months, she would not be certified to cover the election. “Thus, while not technically expelling her, Indian authorities have effectively expelled a foreign correspondent on the eve of an election that the government is billing as the world’s largest democratic movement.”
“Mr. Dias, who has been reporting on India since January 2022, left the country on Friday, the first day of the election. He left the country after being informed by the government of reporting on the Sikh separatist movement (reporting has since been blocked in India).” “They did not renew her journalism visa because she had crossed the line,” the letter said. An Indian government official also said that Diaz had actually resigned for personal reasons and that she wanted a new job. On Wednesday, Australia Today said in a report that Ms Diaz returned home “due to her new professional opportunities and her personal milestones, not due to alleged threats by the Indian government.”
