Media: Coverage

The targeting of media houses that provide coverage of dissent has become a concerning trend in India – corroborated by the worsening press freedom index of the country.

The raids on NewsClick, which took place on October 3, led to the seizure of the phones and laptops of close to 50 journalists associated with the organisation.

The veteran scribe believes the crackdown on NewsClick would have a chilling impact on journalists who believe in asking questions freely and fairly.

The NewsClick raids send a very important message of crumbling press freedom in the country.

Digital footprints of journalists and activists are increasingly searched and seized in violation of privacy and free speech.

'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 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 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'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.