The tense situation regarding press freedom in India has escalated further with the departure of Australian journalist Avani Dias. Dias, the South Asia bureau chief for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), left India on April 19 due to a visa extension denial. A Ministry of External Affairs official informed Dias that her reporting had 'crossed a line.' Dias had been based in India since 2022 and was known for her critical reporting. This incident comes after ABC's report on the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which was blocked in India following a demand from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The Indian government has been increasingly pressuring and harassing foreign correspondents reporting on topics deemed unfavorable to the administration. This departure follows a pattern of increasing difficulties faced by journalists in India, including the closure of critical websites and independent outlets, as well as the rise of divisive content. Dias is the second foreign correspondent to leave India this year due to visa problems, highlighting the growing concerns about press freedom in the country [ef89dec4].
