Amid the Indian government’s crackdown on several journalists under the anti-terror law on Tuesday, the US has said that it strongly supports the role of media in a democracy and has urged the Indian government to respect the human rights of journalists.
Delhi police carried out raids in the houses of several journalists associated with news outlet NewsClick in the early hours of Tuesday and arrested its editor, Prabir Purkayastha, in an illegal funding probe.
The incident has drawn flak from several journalist bodies as well as the opposition INDIA alliance. It has also fuelled fears regarding press freedom in the country.
#NewsClickRaids | Senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta was questioned for nearly 10 hours. He says he was questioned on whether he covered Delhi riots and farmers' protest. pic.twitter.com/HHBNeZa5Eq
— newslaundry (@newslaundry) October 3, 2023
US Response
Responding to media queries on the incident, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department Vedant Patel said that while the US was aware of the concerns about the raids and reports of alleged ties of NewsClick to China, the State Department could not yet comment on the “veracity of those claims.”
Patel said, “The US government strongly supports the robust role of the media globally, including social media, in a vibrant and free democracy.”
He said that the US raises concerns on these matters with the Indian government through diplomatic engagements at the core of the bilateral relationship.
Patel emphasised that the US has urged the Indian government to respect the freedom of expression of journalists, both online and offline.
The Raids
The Delhi police raided homes and offices of different journalists linked to NewsClick on 3 September.
The raids were conducted in connection to a case filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), on 17 August, following allegations that the outlet had received money for pro-China propaganda.
According to a report by the New York Times, NewsClick was among organisations tied to US businessman Neville Roy Singham, who funded them to peddle Chinese propaganda across the world.
The police searched 30 locations and conducted raids on 46 journalists and commentators related to the news outlet, with 37 men being taken to the special cell for questioning and nine women being questioned at their residences.
While other journalists were released following the raids, NewsClick editor Prabir Purkayastha and administrator Amit Chakravarty were arrested.
Video journalist Abhisar Sharma, activist Teesta Setalvad, senior journalist Bhasha Singh, veteran journalists Urmilesh and Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, writer Githa Hariharan, renowned journalist Aunindyo Chakravarty, activist and historian Sohail Hashmi, satirist Sanjay Rajaura, Satyam Tiwari, and former NewsClick managing editor Pranjal were among those who were raided.
Journalist Bodies Condemn Act
The Editors Guild of India released a statement condemning the raids. It said, “The investigation of specific offences must not create a general atmosphere of intimidation under the shadow of draconian laws, or impinge on the freedom of expression and the raising of dissenting and critical voices.”
'This is really an attack on freedom of press': N Ram on NewsClick raids https://t.co/xg5bp3t7rc
— N. Ram (@nramind) October 3, 2023
The guild reminded the government of the importance of an independent media in a functioning democracy, and urged it to ensure that the fourth pillar is respected.
The National Alliance of Journalists, the Delhi Union of Journalists, the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (Delhi Unit) also criticised the raids.
The raids on journalists often seen to take an anti-government stance have further raised fears about lack of press freedom in the country that dropped 11 places to rank 161 out of 180 countries in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index released by the Reporters Without Borders.