Media: Coverage

'The entire operation was meant to have a chilling effect on independent journalists, those not completely subservient to the regime, the small section still doing what the Fourth Estate should do -- raising questions to those in power.'

The current crackdown is transparently part of the same politics that resulted in the invention of ambiguous phrases like 'tukde-tukde gang' and ‘Urban Naxal’.

The Delhi police special cell has questioned about 25 journalists and contributors of NewsClick for a second time in connection with a UAPA case registered against the online news portal for allegedly peddling "anti-national" agenda in the country, sources said on Monday.

The Delhi Police's Special Cell on Friday questioned at least eight journalists and contributors to the NewsClick for a second time in a week in connection with its case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act over alleged funding from China, sources said.

The police raids on NewsClick journalists in India are making global headlines, and many activists are worried about the future of free speech in the country. DW talked with journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta.

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, which has been critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist-led government.

Eminent writers, historians and activists have expressed concern and shock over the raids on the NewsClick website and the arrest of the portal’s editor Prabir Purkayastha and HR head under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

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.