Canada blocked Australia Today’s social media handles hours after the news outlet carried External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s joint press conference with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Cannada Banned Jaishankar’s Interview On Australia
Why In News
- Canada blocked Australia Today’s social media handles hours after the news outlet carried External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s joint press conference with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
What Had S Jaishankar Said
- Jaishankar was on an official visit to Australia from 3 to 7 November for the 15th Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue. As part of this visit, he inaugurated a consulate in Brisbane before calling on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong.
- “Let me make three comments, one, Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics.
- Secondly, when we look at Canada, for us, the fact that…our diplomats are under surveillance, is something which is unacceptable,” Jaishankar said.
- “The third is the incident which the gentleman spoke about, do look at the video. I think that will tell in a way the political space which is being given to extremist forces there,” the EAM added.
- India and Canada’s bilateral relations hit rock bottom last month after Canberra said senior Indian diplomats were “persons of interest” in the murder case of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India’s Respone
- Asked about the social media handles of Australia Today being blocked in Canada, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said,
- “We understand that social media handles and pages of this outlet, which is an important diaspora outlet, have been blocked and are not available for viewers in Canada. This happened a few hours after this particular handle carried the press conference of the External Affairs Minister with Penny Wong.”
- Wong, during the joint press conference, said that Australia respects Canada’s judicial process and has raised its concerns over the Nijjar matter with India. Last week, India had said some of its consular officials were informed by the Canadian government that they have been under audio and video surveillance.
- Terming the action a “flagrant violation” of diplomatic conventions, India had said Canada could not hide behind technicalities to justify its harassment and intimidation and that a protest had been lodged with the Canadian government.
- India responded sharply, saying it was surprised by Canada’s move to ban the outlet and stressed that it highlighted the country’s hypocrisy towards freedom of speech.
- The outlet said, “The recent restriction and ban on our interview with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Senator Wong on social media, under orders from the Canadian government, have been difficult for our team and those who value free and open journalism”.
- It acknowledged the “unwavering support” received after the ban and said, “Despite these restrictions, your unwavering support has been a beacon of strength for us. Whether it was sharing our coverage on other platforms, voicing concerns about Press Freedom, or simply offering encouragement, every action made a difference”.
