Hours following Canada blocked the Australian media outlet, The Australia Today, shortly after it telecasted the joint press conference of Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the media outlet issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
The Australia Today expressed gratitude to its supporters and guaranteed its commitment to journalistic freedom, transparency, and accuracy. The statement read, “We at The Australia Today would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to every news outlet, journalist, and supporter who stood by us during a challenging time. The recent restriction and ban on our interview with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny 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 added, “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. We deeply appreciate the solidarity shown by our community and their commitment to upholding the freedom of information and the right of audiences to access diverse perspectives.”
The Australia Today’s Managing Editor Jitarth Jai Bharadwaj in the statement, “We remain steadfast in our mission to bring important stories and voices to the public, undeterred by these obstacles. The overwhelming support we have received is a powerful reminder of the importance of a free press, and we will continue to strive for transparency, accuracy, and the right to tell stories that matter.”“Once again, thank you for supporting us. We will continue to advocate for an open and inclusive media landscape”.
India condemned Canada’s action, calling it hypocritical and a threat to freedom of speech. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Canada’s block on The Australia Today’s social media handles came just hours after the outlet broadcasted Jaishankar and Wong’s joint press conference in Canberra.
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