Media: Coverage

NewsClick journalists who were raided by Delhi Police on Tuesday in connection with a probe into the news portal's alleged foreign funding, were questioned on whether they had reported on matters like the 2020 Delhi riots, the farmers’ protest against the Narendra Modi government’s farm laws and the COVID-19 crisis.

Even though the raids on NewsClick and its journalists came two months after a New York Times investigation on the portal, the Delhi Police’s probe began much earlier in August 2020 when its Economic Offences Wing registered a case against the website.

The protesting journalists said they are getting support from different media organisations and press clubs across the country.

The journalists’ collectives referred back to the case of Father Stan Swamy as a reminder of the indifference authorities ‘show under the guise of combating terrorism’

Journalists had initially planned a protest march to Jantar Mantar, but permission was denied.

“Nature of employment” at the NewsClick news portal, coverage of the 2020 Delhi Riots and calls made to the US — these were some of the questions allegedly put to journalists questioned Tuesday in a fresh case against the news portal, registered under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, for alleged receipt of funds from China.

An Indian news portal being investigated over alleged illegal funding said on Wednesday it does not publish propaganda and its funding had been received through appropriate banking channels.

Website’s founder Prabir Purkayastha and another staff arrested following raids over allegations of receiving foreign money for pro-China propaganda.

The electronic devices – laptops and telephones – of several journalists were seized by the police. In total, 37 men and nine women were questioned by the Delhi police's special police.

Delhi Police on Tuesday brought Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and Urmilesh to the special cell offices in the national capital. Two senior police officials also are at the special cell premises.