Journalist PrabirPurkayastha, renowned as the founder of NewsClick, has found himself in legal turmoil as he was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, an anti-terror law. This development follows closely on the heels of a New York Times investigation that alleged NewsClick received funding from a network associated with promoting Chinese propaganda. Alongside Purkayastha, Amit Chakravarty, the HR head of the news portal, has also been apprehended.
Earlier today, a series of searches were conducted at the residences of journalists affiliated with NewsClick. These operations spanned across approximately 20 locations in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, drawing ire and condemnation from the opposition. Many have labeled this incident as a “crackdown on press freedom.”
According to a source within the Delhi Police, a total of 37 male suspects were questioned at various premises, while 9 female suspects were interviewed at their respective places of residence. During these searches, digital devices and documents were seized and collected for further examination. The source revealed that the investigative process is ongoing, and to date, two individuals, PrabirPurkayastha and Amit Chakravarty, have been arrested. Additional inquiries are currently underway.
The Delhi Police’s primary assertion is that NewsClick purportedly received a substantial sum of approximately ₹38 crore from entities allegedly linked to China. These funds were allegedly utilized to exert influence in favor of pro-China content on the news portal’s website. Police sources further elucidated that out of the total amount, ₹29 crore was received as fees for export services, while ₹9 crore was acquired as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by artificially inflating share prices.
Furthermore, these funds are believed to have been shared with prominent activists TeestaSetalvad and GautamNavlakha.
In the wake of these raids and arrests, the Editors Guild of India, a non-profit organization representing journalists, has issued a fervent plea to the Indian government. They have called upon the authorities to uphold due process and refrain from employing draconian criminal laws as instruments for intimidating the press.
In a statement, the Editors Guild of India expressed its concern over the raids, highlighting the need for adherence to due process even as specific offenses are being investigated. The organization stressed that these actions should not cast a pall of intimidation through the use of stringent laws, nor should they curtail the fundamental principles of freedom of expression and the right to voice dissenting and critical opinions. This incident has raised significant questions regarding the freedom of the press in India and the methods employed by authorities when addressing allegations of financial impropriety within the media industry. It remains to be seen how this situation will evolve and the broader implications it may have on journalism and the protection of civil liberties in the country
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 4th October 2023
