Australian media outlet blocked by Canada says it remains undeterred

Canberra: An Australian media outlet blocked by Canada for broadcasting live a press conference addressed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong, on Friday said it remained “undeterred” and “steadfast” for an open and inclusive media landscape.

“The recent restriction and ban on our interview with Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar and the press conference with Australian Foreign Minister @SenatorWong on #socialmedia, under orders from the Canadian government, have been difficult for our team and those who value free and open #journalism,” The Australia Today said in a long post on X.

The development comes days after Canada blocked the media outlet hours after it broadcast the Jaishankar-Wong joint press conference here on November 3. The EAM wrapped up his five day official visit to Australia on Thursday.

During the joint press briefing, Jaishankar fielded questions on the Brampton temple incident and the overall escalation in diplomatic row between India and Canada.

In Canada's Brampton, protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people at a Hindu Sabha temple and disrupted an event co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate on Sunday.

On Friday, the post on X bearing the name of The Australia Today managing editor Jitarth Jai Bharadwaj, said, “We remain steadfast in our mission to bring important stories and voices to the public, undeterred by these obstacles.” According to its website, The Australia Today is dedicated to news, analysis and opinions from Australia focused on multicultural communities and the Indian subcontinent.

The media outlet also extended a “heartfelt gratitude” to all news outlets, journalists, and supporters, who stood by it during what it described as “a challenging time.” The overwhelming support is a “powerful reminder of the importance of a free press,” the media outlet said, adding, it will continue to strive for transparency, accuracy, and the right to tell stories that matter.

“We will continue to advocate for an open and inclusive media landscape,” it added.

India on Thursday termed the Canadian action of blocking the social media handles and certain pages of The Australia Today smacked of hypocrisy towards freedom of speech.

“We understand that the social media handles, pages of this particular outlet, which are important diaspora outlets, have 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,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi.