The escalating rivalry between China and India has led to the deportation of nearly all of each other's journalists. The once-friendly relationship between the two countries has become tense in recent years, with both sides accusing the other of territorial aggression.
The deportations began in 2018, when India expelled three Chinese reporters for allegedly trying to bribe government officials and stir up anti-Indian sentiment. In retaliation, China refused to renew the visas of Indian journalists based in Beijing, leading to the expulsion of at least 13 reporters. The situation has only worsened since then, with China announcing in March 2020 that it would expel all accredited American journalists working for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.
The expulsion of journalists has had a significant impact on the media coverage of both countries. With fewer reporters on the ground, it has become more difficult to get an accurate picture of the situation in either country. This lack of transparency could have serious consequences for both China and India, as it could lead to misunderstandings and even further escalation of tensions.
The current state of affairs between China and India is a clear example of how political tensions can spill over into the media and disrupt the flow of information. It is important for journalists to be able to report freely and without fear of deportation or reprisal, so that the public can have access to accurate and unbiased information.
References: WSJ article Hashtags for Social Media
Curated by Team Akash.Mittal.Blog
Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn