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Reporter Sabrina Siddiqui at Indian President Modi's press appearance: What measures is he taking to protect minorities and preserve freedom of expression?

Photo: EVELYN HOCKSTEIN / REUTERS

An important signal, even if it may not reach the actual addressees: The White House Journalists' Association has backed a journalist who, after a question to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, became a victim of hate on the Internet. "In a democracy, journalists shouldn't be targeted just because they're doing their job and asking questions that need to be asked," the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA), an association of journalists covering the White House, said Tuesday. Sabrina Siddiqui asked a question that was at the top of many of our lists. Unfortunately, she was massively insulted online afterwards – also from the environment of the Prime Minister's party."

  • The full text of the statement can be found here: Online Harassment of White House Journalist is unacceptable

Modi was received last week by US President Joe Biden as a state guest at the White House. At a press appearance, Wall Street Jounal journalist Sabrina Siddiqui asked Modi what measures he was taking to protect minorities and preserve freedom of expression. Modi said there was "absolutely no room" for discrimination in India and defended his government. The prime minister rarely speaks to the media. It almost never happens that he answers questions at a press conference.

Since 2014, Modi of the Hindu nationalist BJP has been the country's prime minister. During his tenure, India dropped several places in rankings on democracy and press freedom. Critics complain that religious minorities are being discriminated against in the Hindu-majority country and that the prime minister is undermining democracy.

The journalist Siddiqui has been fiercely attacked by supporters of Modi and his party since the press conference on the Internet. Their motives, their religion and their origins have been questioned, according to the WHCA. "This is unacceptable."

The White House also condemned the harassment of journalists. The Wall Street Journal stated that Siddiqui was a "respected journalist known for her integrity and unbiased reporting."

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