White House condemns 'harassment' of reporter who asked PM rights question - Punjabi News

April 22, 2024 10:51 am

White House condemns ‘harassment’ of reporter who asked PM rights question

Published by: thefactnews

The Fact News Service

Washington, June 27

The White House has denounced what the Wall Street Journal has called the “intense online harassment” of its reporter Sabrina Siddiqui, who had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi a question on democracy in India during his joint press conference with President Joe Biden in the US last week.

Top official John Kirby, in response to the Wall Street Journal’s question on its reporter, said the White House was “aware of the reports of that harassment”. The Wall Street Journal said since she asked the question, Ms Siddiqui had been subjected to “some intense online harassment from people inside India”. She was also being targeted, in part, because of her Muslim faith, said the newspaper.
“It’s unacceptable. And we absolutely condemn any harassment of journalists anywhere under any circumstances. That’s just – that’s completely unacceptable. And it’s antithetical to the very principles of democracy that – you’re right – were on display last week during the state visit,” said Mr Kirby, who is the White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications.

After Mr Kirby’s statement, the White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre went to the podium and said: “I just want to reiterate a little bit what John said – we’re certainly here at the White House under this administration, we are committed to freedom of the Press, which is why we had the press conference last week. So just want to remind folks, that’s why we had the press conference last week. Also, we certainly condemn any efforts of intimidation or harassment of any journalist that is just trying to do their job.