Media: Coverage

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.

A number of journalists, holding banners, gathered at the Press Club of India while student organisations got together at Jantar Mantar.

The propaganda cry of catching terrorists and Chinese agents is for the gullible. The real game is to bring opponents of any stripe, persuasion, or profession, to heel.

'When journalists are summoned and their devices seized in the name of investigation, there is an inherent malice in the process that must be checked'

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.