White House condemns harassment of journalist who asked PM Modi a question
The Hindu
The White House, on June 26, pushed back strongly against those harassing Sabrina Siddiqui, the Wall Street Journal reporter who asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi a question on democratic backsliding in India during a press event at the White House on June 22, following Mr. Modi’s bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden.
The White House, on June 26, pushed back strongly against those harassing Sabrina Siddiqui, the Wall Street Journal reporter who asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi a question on democratic backsliding in India during a press event at the White House on June 22, following Mr. Modi’s bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden.
The White House was aware of the reports of harassment, John Kirby, the U.S. National Security Council’s lead for strategic communication, said at June 26th’s White House press briefing.
“It’s unacceptable, and we absolutely condemn any harassment of journalists anywhere under any circumstances,” Mr. Kirby said adding that it was “antithetical to the very principles of democracy that were on display last week during the state visit”.
Ms. Siddiqui was called on by Mr. Biden at a press interaction on June 22 to ask questions. She asked Mr. Modi what steps he was willing to take to protect minority rights, and the rights of Muslims and uphold free speech. Mr. Modi defended democratic values in India in his response.
Ms. Siddiqui was trolled online including about her motives and her heritage following the event.
“Since some have chosen to make a point of my personal background, it feels only right to provide a fuller picture. Sometimes identities are more complex than they seem,” Ms. Siddiqui had tweeted on June 24, with photos of herself in an Indian cricket team shirt and another of her (in Team India colours) and her father, watching India win the 2011 Cricket World Cup, as per the photo caption.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated Mr. Kirby’s message shortly after Mr. Kirby’s remarks on June 26.
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