New Delhi, 21 Jun : Indian Journalists Union ( IJU) has expressed concern at the non renewal of French journalist Sebastian Farcis’ work permit, forcing him to leave the country after working in the country for the last 23 years.
“Such an action will further erode the reputation of India as a democracy with free press in the backdrop of India’s sliding down in World Press Freedom Index. It will give credit to the criticism that media freedom in the world’s most populous democracy is increasingly under attack, with journalists who touch on sensitive topics often subjected to government rebuke,” it said in an statement.
Sebastien Farcis, who worked for Radio France Internationale and other major French-language media outlets, had left India earlier this week after having been informed in March that his routine journalist permit extension had been denied.
Farcis is married to an Indian national and has overseas citizen of India (OCI) status, which allows him to live and work in the country but requires a special permit for missionary activities, mountaineering or journalism.
IJU President Geetartha Pathak and it’s Secretary-General Sabina Inderjit said in a statement that the Indian government is putting pressure on foreign journalists.
The IJU leaders stated that in February, French journalist Vanessa Dougnac left India, where she had worked for more than two decades, after authorities threatened to expel her for what they termed “malicious and critical” reporting. In April, Australian ABC journalist Avani Dias said she was effectively pushed out after she was told her routine journalist visa extension would be denied.
The IJU urged the union government to allow the foreign press with requisite permission to do their job without any pressure unless it violates the local laws. (PTI)