Facilitate presence of journos in China: MEA

ON OTHER HAND, HE SAID INDIAN JOURNALISTS IN CHINA “HAVE BEEN OPERATING WITH CERTAIN DIFFICULTIES, SUCH AS NOT BEING PERMITTED TO HIRE LOCALS AS CORRESPONDENTS OR JOURNALISTS”.

India on Friday urged China to facilitate the continued presence of Indian journalists working in the country against the backdrop of a sharp downturn in bilateral ties that has had implications for the posting of foreign correspondents.

The Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday that the number of Chinese journalists in India was “about to drop to zero”, and that certain measures were taken against Indian journalists because their Chinese counterparts “suffered unfair and discriminatory treatment in India”.

Asked about the matter at a weekly news briefing, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said both sides were in touch to try and resolve the matter. “We hope that Chinese authorities facilitate the continued presence of Indian journalists working and reporting from China. The two sides continue to remain in touch,” he said.

Bagchi said all foreign reporters, including those from China, have been pursuing journalistic activities in India “without any limitations or difficulties in reporting or doing media coverage”.

On the other hand, he said Indian journalists in China “have been operating with certain difficulties, such as not being permitted to hire locals as correspondents or journalists”. They also face several restrictions while getting access and travelling within China, he said. “As you know, foreign media can and do freely hire local journalists to work for their bureaus in India.”

In April, China barred the return of two Indian journalists posted in Beijing while they were in India for private visits.