New Delhi: As the Special Cell of the Delhi Police arrested chief editor and HR of Newsclick after raiding at multiple locations, including Newsclick’s editorial offices, the residences of its journalists, employees – both past and present, consultants, and freelancers, contributors, the news organisation has released statement, refuting allegations of Chinese propaganda.
Newsclick stated that they have not been provided with a copy of the FIR (First Information Report) nor informed about the specific charges they are facing.
“Electronic devices were seized from the Newsclick premises and the homes of its employees. These seizures were carried out without proper adherence to due process, including the provision of seizure memos, hash values of the seized data, or even copies of the data,” reads the statement.
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Moreover, Newsclick’s office has been sealed, ostensibly preventing the news organization from continuing its reporting, it added.
Newsclick condemned the raids and arrests and called it as an attack on journalistic independence and criticizes the government for treating criticism as sedition or "anti-national" propaganda.
The news organization asserted that it has been targeted by various government agencies since 2021, with raids and investigations conducted by agencies including the Enforcement Directorate, the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police, and the Income Tax Department.
“Despite these investigations, Newsclick points out that no substantial charges have been filed against them, and no wrongdoing has been proven,” it said.
The news organization said that a recent article published in the New York Times was used as a pretext to invoke the draconian UAPA, which has led to the current arrests and raids.
The organisation mentioned the following points in the conclusion:
1. Newsclick is an independent news website.
2. Our journalistic content is based on the highest standards of the profession.
3. Newsclick does not publish any news or information at the behest of any Chinese entity or authority, directly or indirectly.
4. Newsclick does not propagate Chinese propaganda on its website.
5. Newsclick does not take directions from Neville Roy Singham regarding the content published on its website.
6. All funding received by Newsclick has been through the appropriate banking channels and have been reported to the relevant authorities as required by law, as substantiated by the Reserve Bank of India in proceedings before the High Court of Delhi.
"All journalistic content ever published on the Newsclick website is available on the internet, and can be seen by anyone. The Special Cell of Delhi Police has not referred to a single article or video that they consider to be Chinese propaganda. Indeed, the line of questioning adopted by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police – regarding reportage on the Delhi riots, the farmers protests etc., all demonstrate the motivated and malicious intent behind the present proceedings."
“We have full faith in the Courts and the judicial process. We will fight for our journalistic freedom and our lives in accordance with the Constitution of India.”
