<
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/03/media/india-newsclick-journalist-arrests-intl-hnk/index.html>
"Police in New Delhi have raided the homes of prominent journalists linked to a
left-leaning news organization known for its scrutiny of the Indian government,
in a move media groups called an attack on press freedoms.
Forty-six people were questioned, and digital devices and documents had been
seized for examination as part of an investigation under an anti-terror law,
Delhi police said in a short statement following the raid on Tuesday.
Those questioned include reporters, editors and contributors linked to
NewsClick, an independent news website known for being fiercely critical of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Police said they had arrested the outlet’s founder and editor, Prabir
Purkayastha, and a colleague, Amit Chakravarty, and an investigation is under
way in connection with India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA,
an anti-terror law that critics describe as “draconian” and makes it nearly
impossible to receive bail.
Newsclick on Wednesday described the raids as an “attempt to shut down and
stifle independent and fearless voices that portray the story of the real
India.”
“We strongly condemn these actions of a government that refuses to respect
journalistic independence, and treats criticism as sedition or ‘anti-national’
propaganda,” it said in a statement posted on its website.
Newsclick said that it had not been given details of any charges, but that it
had gathered information that the outlet was being accused of “purportedly
carrying Chinese propaganda on its website.”
It added that it “does not propagate Chinese propaganda on its website” and
“does not publish any news or information at the behest of any Chinese entity
or authority.”
Some of those taken for questioning reported the raids on Twitter, now known as
X, as they were taking place.
In one last post before her devices were taken, writer and activist Bhasha
Singh wrote: “Finally last tweet from this phone. Delhi police seizure (sic) my
phone.”"
Via Lisa Stranger and Susan ****
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
