WASHINGTON – The White House has strongly condemned the online harassment directed towards a reporter who questioned India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his government’s human rights record during his visit to the United States last week.
The National Security Council spokesman for the White House, John Kirby, expressed his disapproval of the harassment, stating, “We’re aware of the reports of that harassment. It’s unacceptable, and we absolutely condemn any harassment of journalists anywhere, under any circumstances.” The journalist in question is Sabrina Siddiqui, a Muslim correspondent for The Wall Street Journal.
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Kirby further emphasized that such harassment is completely unacceptable and contradicts the principles of democracy that were showcased during Prime Minister Modi’s state visit. He underlined the importance of respecting freedom of the press.
Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, reiterated the Biden administration’s commitment to press freedom. She highlighted the joint press conference held between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi during the latter’s two-day state visit, emphasizing that it demonstrated their dedication to upholding freedom of the press.
During the press conference, Siddiqui posed a question to Prime Minister Modi regarding the measures being taken to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in India, as well as to protect freedom of speech. In response, Modi emphasized that his government is committed to eliminating discrimination based on caste, creed, religion, and gender. He stated that India’s Constitution and democratic system have proven their ability to deliver on these principles.
The condemnation from the White House regarding the harassment faced by Siddiqui reflects the administration’s stance on supporting a free press and protecting journalists. It underscores the importance of allowing journalists to ask tough questions and express dissenting opinions without fear of retaliation or harassment.
The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by journalists worldwide, highlighting the need to safeguard press freedom and ensure the protection of journalists’ rights to carry out their work without intimidation or reprisals.
