In a much needed turn of events, the Delhi Police Special Cell has sprung into action, conducting searches at the residences of several “journalists” linked to the media outlet NewsClick. The operation, which unfolded with an air of urgency, centres around allegations that the organisation has received funding from China.
This move reflects India’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and security, even if it means putting the nation before those rabid leftist journalists who write against the Nation’s interests.
Large-scale raids have been carried out across the National Capital Region, spanning Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad. During these extensive searches, the police have seized several pieces of electronic evidence, including laptops and mobile phones.
NewsClick’s Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Prabir Purkayasth, now finds himself at the centre of the unfolding drama, currently being quizzed by the police. Additionally, the Human Resources (HR) head, Amit Chakravarty, has been arrested and sent to seven days of police remand.
The raids have been far-reaching, targeting not only the homes and offices of journalists but also authors, academics, contributors, and even a satirist associated with NewsClick. The police’s probe is anchored in a case filed under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), alleging that the portal was receiving funds to fuel pro-China propaganda within India.
In a rather comprehensive sweep, a total of 46 suspects were questioned on various matters, including the Delhi communal riots, the CAA agitation of 2019-20, and the farmers’ protest of 2020-21. Authorities inquired about the use of encrypted messaging applications such as Signal on their phones.
The Delhi Police Special Cell initiated these raids based on intelligence inputs provided by a central agency. The recovery of data from laptops and mobile phones belonging to some journalists associated with NewsClick has prompted the Special Cell to register a new case and commence a fresh investigation.
The genesis of this case can be traced back to an FIR registered on August 17th, under various sections of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). This action was triggered by a report published on August 8th in The New York Times, which alleged that NewsClick received funding from American businessman Neville Roy Singham to disseminate Chinese propaganda.
Notably, these allegations had already been under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) since 2021. The ED had accused the company of money laundering, claiming that NewsClick received Rs. 77 crore in foreign remittances between 2018 and 2021.
The unfolding China funding row, intricately linked to the NewsClick raids, has sent shockwaves throughout the journalistic community. Journalists and individuals associated with NewsClick found themselves at the receiving end of this sudden and extensive police operation, leaving many in disbelief.
As the raids dominate headlines, it is clear that a detailed briefing will follow, shedding more light on the ongoing investigation. At this point, it is essential to understand the context surrounding the NewsClick case and the allegations made by The New York Times.
The New York Times published a report on August 5th, titled ‘A Global Web of Chinese Propaganda Leads to a US Tech Mogul.’ In this report, the newspaper revealed that Neville Roy Singham, a tech mogul who financially backs NewsClick, played a role in promoting Chinese propaganda worldwide. The report highlighted how Singham’s network funded NewsClick, which incorporated Chinese government talking points into its coverage.
The report cited a specific video that celebrated 70 years of China’s Maoist revolution, indicating a connection between NewsClick and Chinese government narratives. It also detailed Singham’s association with Chinese media company Maku Group, raising questions about his proximity to foreign propaganda.
It is important to note that Singham has denied working at the behest of the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party. Nonetheless, these revelations set off a chain reaction in Indian politics, with Union ministers Anurag Thakur and Rajeev Chandrasekhar holding a press conference to emphasise the link between China, the Indian National Congress, and NewsClick.
NewsClick’s founder, Prabir Purkayastha, refuted the allegations, asserting that the organisation was not a mouthpiece for the Communist Party of China. Nevertheless, the ED had initiated an investigation in 2021, focusing on allegations of money laundering, which included evidence of regular exchanges of emails concerning the Communist Party of China.
In the wake of these developments, the Congress had reportedly supported NewsClick, citing press freedom concerns. However, Union Minister Anurag Thakur pointed to The New York Times’ report as confirmation of India’s earlier claims. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey went further, characterising NewsClick as “anti-national” and alleging its involvement in spreading discord within India and showing India in bad light.
Apart from the company ‘NewsClick’ sounding like the name of a cringe clickbait website translated from Chinese to English, unfolding saga reveals the intricate web of global politics, sold out journalism, and allegations of foreign influence. It remains a contentious issue that continues to evolve, with legal proceedings and investigations yet to reach their conclusion.