Indian MHA Forces French Journalist to Leave Amid Press Freedom Concerns

In a recent development that has raised significant concerns about press freedom in India, French journalist Sebastien Farcis, who has been the India correspondent for Radio France Internationale and Liberation, was forced to leave the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declined to renew his journalist permit, despite his long-standing tenure in India and his status as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Farcis, who is married to an Indian woman, had been working in India for over a decade.

Farcis is the third foreign journalist to leave India in 2024 due to the denial of work permits. On April 19, 2024, Avani Dias, the South Asia Bureau chief for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, left the country after her visa extension was refused. This decision was linked to her reporting on the killing of a Sikh separatist. Earlier, in February 2024, Vanessa Dougnac, a veteran French journalist, was also forced to leave after 22 years in the country. These expulsions come at a time when the Modi government is facing mounting criticism for its perceived clampdown on dissent. India’s rank in the 2024 edition of the World Press Freedom Index plummeted to 159 out of 180 countries, highlighting a deteriorating environment for journalists. This sharp decline underscores the increasing challenges faced by the press in India, including censorship, harassment, and restrictions on freedom of expression.

The removal of foreign journalists like Farcis, Dias, and Dougnac reflects a broader pattern of shrinking space for journalistic freedom in India. The government’s actions against these journalists have been seen as an attempt to suppress critical reporting and control the narrative. Farcis’ forced departure is particularly alarming given his status as an OCI cardholder and his deep personal and professional ties to India. His case raises questions about the treatment of foreign journalists and the implications for India’s international reputation as a democratic country that respects freedom of the press.

These incidents have sparked a debate about the future of journalism in India. The international community has expressed concern over the declining press freedom in India, with various organizations calling for greater protection of journalists’ rights. The trend of expelling foreign journalists also risks isolating India from global media networks and undermining the diversity of perspectives available to the public.

The departure of journalists like Sebastien Farcis serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address these issues and protect press freedom in India.