On April 23, 2024, a group of journalists wrote an open letter to show solidarity with anti-India journalist Avani Dias of the ABC News. The letter was shared by South Asia Bureau Chief of an eminent newspaper John Reed on social media platform X, signed by thirty foreign correspondents, the letter propagated the same lies Dias and ABC News propagated regarding her visa status and her accreditations to cover Lok Sabha Elections 2019.
The letter claimed that Dias has been covering India since January 2002 and after her reporting on Khalistanis her visa renewal became difficult. She was told that she crossed the line, the letter claimed. Furthermore, the letter said though her visa was extended for two months at the last moment. Dias was categorically told she would not receive any accreditations to cover the elections, it added.
Thus, though not technically expelling her, Indian authorities have effectively pushed out a foreign correspondent on the eve of election that the government describes it as the largest democratic exercise in the world. “Foreign journalists in India have grappled with increase visa restrictions on visas and journalism permits those holding the status of Overseas Citizens of India.
The circumstances of Dias departure are further the cause of concerns. We call on the Indian government to facilitate the vital work of a free press line with India’s democratic traditions, the letter read in conclusion.
Interestingly, the 30 journalists who wrote the letter narrated the same story Avani Das and ABC news narrated. It appears that they did not bother to check the facts before writing an open letter. The claims of the South Asia Bureau Chief were incorrect, misleading and mischievous, reported an Indian media agency.
A journalist of a reputed Indian news agency Geeta Mohan called her out for the lies propagated against India. Quoting official sources, she debunked the falsehoods and noted that Dias was in fact to have violated visa rules while undertaking her professional endeavours. She added that despite this she was informed that her visa could be extended at her request and for the coverage of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
Indian journalists have criticised the activism and have pointed out that a simple verification by the signatories would have given them the truth, However, they chose to indulge in elitism instead of activism instead of doing basic journalistic duties.
On April 23, 2024, the South Asia Bureau Chief of the Australian Broadcast Company (ABC News) took to Twitter and wrote she had to leave India abruptly as the Modi government told her an extension of the visa would be denied as her reporting crossed the line. The controversial journalist also claimed that the Indian government had plans to not allow her accreditation to cover the Lok Sabha Elections.
Dias claimed that her visa was extended for two months at the last minute, following which she went back to Australia. She lamented returning home just a day before the first phase of the elections. Thereafter, her employer ABC News published a controversial article claiming that Dias received a phone call from India’s MEA and was notified of denial of her visa extension.
The publication said the MEA informed the journalist that she had crossed a line with her propaganda laden YouTube video, which suggested that India was somehow involved in the assassination of Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nonetheless, the Modi government directed YouTube to withhold the anti-India propaganda video by ABC News and its South Asia Bureau Chief Avani Dias. “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order,” reads a message on the YouTube link of the video.
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