2023-10-03 11:07:40
Indian authorities raided the homes of journalists and activists early Tuesday, raising serious concerns in the country which has tumbled in rankings assessing the state of freedom of expression and the press.
The journalists raided include collaborators with the English-language news site NewsClick. Indian authorities filed a complaint in 2021 alleging that the media outlet received funds from abroad.
In August, the New York Times had reported that NewsClick was financed by American millionaire Neville Roy Singham who “punctuated its coverage with views of the Chinese government”, an assertion which the person concerned denied.
Aritry Das, a NewsClick journalist, said police stormed her home around 6 a.m. Tuesday and questioned her regarding her reporting.
“The Delhi Police arrived at my house. They took my laptop, my phone, my hard drives,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Several searches took place in the capital New Delhi and Bombay.
The homes of journalists Aunindyo Chakravarty, Prabir Purkayastha, Bhasha Singh and Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, comedian Sanjay Rajoura and activist Teesta Setalvad were searched, according to local press.
In a statement, the Bombay Press Club expressed its “deep concern” indicating that “several journalists affiliated with NewsClick have been subject to searches.”
The Club asked the police to stop “what is seen as a campaign of targeted harassment once morest these journalists”.
Historian and activist Sohail Hashmi, also raided on Tuesday, had to hand over his laptop, phone and hard drives containing more than a decade of his writings to authorities.
The organization of media professionals, Network of Women in Media, deemed these searches targeting “prominent dissident voices” “shocking”.
When the Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014, India was ranked 140th out of 180 countries in the world press freedom rankings established by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). In 2023, the country ranks 161st, a decline of 21 places in nine years, including 11 since last year.
Journalists critical of the government say they face increased harassment, including on social media – where Mr Modi’s ruling party is very active.
By scrutinizing the finances and limiting foreign funding of rights defenders, Mr. Modi’s government is putting pressure on their activities, they say.
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