SYDNEY: Avani Dias, the South Asia correspondent for Australia’s national broadcaster, faced increasing pressure from the Indian government due to her reporting, prompting her to leave India.
Dias, stationed in Delhi since January 2022, found her work hindered by government actions, including restricted access to events, takedown notices for her news stories on YouTube, and refusal of a standard visa renewal.
The tipping point came when her visa renewal was blocked, allegedly due to her coverage of the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which strained India-Canada relations. Despite Australia’s lobbying efforts, Dias and her partner prepared to depart. The Modi government reversed its decision at the eleventh hour, granting a two-month visa extension.
However, Dias opted to return to Australia, finding the environment increasingly hostile for independent journalism. The Modi administration’s treatment of foreign correspondents reflects a broader trend of stifling dissenting voices and critical reporting.
Similar instances, including raids on the BBC’s offices and revocation of journalist permissions, highlight the challenges faced by foreign journalists in India. The ABC expressed full support for Dias’s reporting and emphasized the importance of independent journalism worldwide.
