Media: Coverage

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has condemned a crackdown on journalists writing for websites considered critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

NewsClick, a defiantly critical news site, has been in the Indian government’s sights over the past few years. But there was little to show after extensive financial probes – until the New York Times published a report which enabled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration to use the press to attack the press.

Delhi Police, in an FIR filed under anti-terror law UAPA against online news portal NewsClick, has alleged that a large amount of funds came from China to "disrupt the sovereignty of India" and cause disaffection against the country.

Purkayastha and Chakraborty were arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell which had registered an FIR in August under sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code.

Two journalists managed to secure freedom from UAPA, one with an acquittal and the other, a discharge.

FIR, filed 17 Aug under UAPA, says ‘secret inputs’ suggest ‘foreign funds in crores… infused illegally in India by Indian & foreign entities… to threaten unity, integrity, security’.

NewsClick journalists have been accused of undermining the unity and territorial integrity of India, according to Delhi Police special cell's FIR. A total of 46 journalists and contributors to the NewsClick were questioned on Tuesday and their mobile phones and other electronic gadgets were seized for alleged connections to China-linked entities to broadcast Chinese propaganda.

'When journalists are summoned and their devices seized in the name of investigation, there is an inherent malice in the process that must be checked'

Police in New Delhi have arrested the editor of a news website and one of its administrators after raiding the homes of journalists working for the site. 

A huge crowd gathered at the Press Club of India in Delhi on Wednesday to show solidarity for press freedom and voice their protest against the police action on people associated with news portal NewsClick. “Free the press”, “stop harassing Indian media”, "No to misuse of UAPA" were the words written on some of the banners in the hands of the journalists, academicians, authors and others gathered there. Earlier, 16 journalist bodies wrote to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud urging him to ensure the protection of journalists against unwarranted raids and arrests.