Australian Media Outlet Banned In Canada After Broadcasting EAM Jaishankar's Remarks

On Thursday, amid the diplomatic row between India and Canada, India's Ministry of External Affairs disclosed that Canada had banned an Australian news outlet, in Canada, for carrying an interview of EAM S. Jaishankar . The interview was essentially a conversation between EAM S. Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The news outlet is Australia Today. 

“We were surprised,” says MEA spokesperson 

In a press conference today, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that “We understand that the social media handles, pages of this particular outlet, which is an important diaspora outlet, has been blocked and are not available for viewers in Canada. This happened just an hour or few hours after this particular handle carried the press conference of EAM Dr S Jaishankar with Penny Wong...We were surprised.” 

Highlights the hypocrisy of Canada, says MEA

“It looks strange to us. But nonetheless, what I will say that these are actions which yet again highlight the hypocrisy of Canada towards freedom of speech. You would have seen that EAM in his media engagements, spoke about three things. One was Canada making allegations and a pattern has developed without any specific evidence. The second thing he highlighted was surveillance of Indian diplomats happening in Canada, which he termed as unacceptable. The third thing which he highlighted was the political space which has been given in Canada to anti-India elements. So you can draw your conclusions from that, why Australia Today channel was blocked by Canada,” he added. 

Here is what else you need to know

Canada's decision to ban a media outlet for carrying the interview of India's MEA has shocked many people across India, as Canada, and Western nations in general, preach about freedom of expression constantly. In the name of freedom of expression, Canada has allowed dissemination of speech that spreads hatred against Indians. In the name of freedom of expression, Canada has given a shelter to extremists. It remains to be seen how this latest development will impact the relations between the two nations.