Sebastien Farcis, a French journalist with 13 years of experience in India, was forced to leave the country after the Ministry of Home Affairs refused to renew his journalist permit. Farcis claims the denial was without justification and considers it a form of censorship, especially as it came on the eve of the Indian general elections. He is the second French journalist to be forced out in the past four months, highlighting concerns about press freedom in India.
A London court has allowed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to appeal against his extradition to the United States. Assange, who has been held in Belmarsh Prison since 2019, faces 17 espionage charges and one count of computer misuse for publishing classified US documents. Despite US assurances of press protections, Assange’s lawyers believe they are ‘blatantly inadequate.’ The founder of WikiLeaks, known for exposing US military misconduct in Iraq and Afghanistan, claims journalistic protection under the First Amendment. However, the US government contends that Assange’s actions extended beyond journalism and harmed national security.
A British court will issue a verdict on whether to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, 52, to the United States on espionage charges. The ruling, expected on Monday, will culminate 13 years of legal battles and detentions. The U.S. seeks to prosecute him on 18 charges, mostly under the Espionage Act, alleging that his actions with WikiLeaks endangered agents’ lives. Assange’s supporters denounce the charges as an assault on journalism and free speech. If extradited, Assange’s legal avenues in Britain would be exhausted, but his lawyers could pursue an emergency injunction from the European Court of Human Rights. If extradition is denied, he could appeal the case on three grounds.
The Press Club of India has condemned the physical attack on journalist Raghav Trivedi, who was assaulted by BJP leaders while covering a rally addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The journalist, who works for Molitics, had interviewed women who claimed they were paid to attend the event, and approached BJP leaders to verify this. The leaders allegedly forced him to delete the recordings and assaulted him, despite the presence of police personnel. The Congress party has shared a video of the incident and criticized BJP’s involvement.
The closure of eight Minnesota newspapers highlights the perilous state of local journalism in the United States. These small papers played a vital role in recording local history, celebrating community achievements, and fostering civic engagement. Their loss is a blow to communities and a threat to American democracy, as studies show that declining newspaper presence correlates with lower voter participation and increased political misinformation.
Avani Dias, South Asia Bureau Chief for Australian broadcasting firm ABC News, claims she was forced to leave India after her visa extension was denied. However, government sources refute her claims, stating that Dias left for personal reasons. Dias alleges that she was informed her reporting had “crossed a line” and was prevented from covering the Lok Sabha elections. She also claims that her documentary on the killing of Canadian Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and her podcast “Looking for Modi” were not favorably received by the government. Despite these allegations, media reports indicate that Dias was granted a two-month visa extension before her departure. A group of foreign journalists in India has expressed concerns over Dias’ treatment and the restrictions faced by foreign journalists in the country.
The Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame (IJHF) announced its 2024 inductees, honoring seven journalists for their contributions to the field. Among them is Francisco Figueroa, founder of the state’s first Spanish-language newspaper, El Amigo del Hogar. The induction ceremony will be held on April 27th at the Woodland Country Club in Carmel.
The Indian government has been accused of targeting foreign journalists and restricting their work, raising concerns about press freedom in the country. The case of Avani Dias, a correspondent for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, has sparked outrage after she was denied a visa extension after reporting on sensitive issues. French journalist Vanessa Dougnac also faced similar pressure, leading to her departure from India. Foreign journalists in India often face harassment and pressure, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the government’s use of visa regulations as a tool of repression is seen as a violation of journalists’ rights.
Australian journalist Avani Dias has abruptly left India after being informed by the Narendra Modi government that her visa extension would be denied. The decision was reportedly prompted by her coverage of the killing of a Sikh separatist leader, which the government deemed had “crossed a line.” Dias, who has worked in India since January 2022, has faced increasing pressure from the government, which has made it difficult for her to report on events such as the national elections. The incident has raised concerns about sliding press freedom in India, where foreign journalists have come under increasing scrutiny and pressure.
The US State Department’s annual human rights report has found widespread abuses in India, including displacement of over 60,000 people in Manipur, attacks on minorities and dissenting voices, and pressure on the media.
