India: Pulitzer Prize-Winner Photojournalist, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, Prevented From Boarding A Flight To NY To Attend The Ceremony

Location: India, Delhi 
Date: October 19, 2022

Photojournalist and documentary photographer, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, was prohibited from traveling to New York to receive the Pulitzer Prize award in the category of “Feature Photography” for her coverage of the second wave of Coronavirus in India. The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands with the award-winning photojournalist and urges Indian government officials to withdraw her from the no-fly list and allow her to travel freely. 

On April 9, 2022, prominent photojournalist, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her exceptional documentation of the alarming development of the second influx of Coronavirus-pandemic infections in India. She was stopped from Delhi airport officials and prevented from boarding her flight to New York. Mattoo was scheduled to travel to attend the Pulitzer Prize ceremony to receive the accolade. 

I was on my way to receive the Pulitzer award ( @Pulitzerprizes) in New York but I was stopped at immigration at Delhi airport and barred from traveling internationally despite holding a valid US visa and ticket. pic.twitter.com/btGPiLlasK

— Sanna Irshad Mattoo (@mattoosanna) October 18, 2022

This marks the second incident of such an occurrence. She was banned from flying to Paris on July 2, 2022. She was traveling to Paris for a book launch and photography exhibition that she was one of the award winners of the Serendipity Arles grant 2020. The reason behind the restriction was not explained to her. In both cases Sanna was holding valid documentation, which allowed her to travel without any restrictions. 

This morning, we reached out to Sanna and asked her thoughts on being barred from traveling, especially during this time. We consequently asked her if she felt that this was a press freedom-related impediment and what her message is for other journalists in India. She issued the following statement:

“To be honest, I don't know why they are forbidding me from traveling. I have reached out to officials, but no one has answered my calls. This is such a prestigious award and the Indian government should understand that and respect it, but they do not seem to care. Journalists should be allowed to report freely. This is the core of democracy: freedom of expression in all forms,” she said.  

“I am heartbroken. For a journalist traveling is crucial and being barred to do so, particularly at a moment such as this, is truly disappointing. I am still processing the situation. I am not sure what the government is up to. Why are they not giving me a reason? Why did I not get any notifications? They have given me no information. Nothing. I am concerned and want this issue resolved immediately. I need the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Kashmir officials to give me a reason. Other journalists in India must be aware and on guard, but never stop their mission. Free press is vital to democracy and written history.”

Unfortunately, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, is not the only female journalist facing the same proscription. She is among many others suffering such unjust measures. Rana Ayyub is another prominent journalist who is barred from flying. Ayyub was briefly detained at the Mumbai airport and restricted from traveling to London in March, 2022. She was scheduled to speak on intimidation faced by journalists at an event organized by the International Center for Journalists. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism wholeheartedly congratulates Sanna Irshad Mattoo on her outstanding achievement. We are appalled by such treatment of female journalists and the continuous suppression of press freedom. We extend our support to Sanna, call on the Indian government to stop their “blacklisting” of journalists and allow freedom of press in the country. 

The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.

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