NewsClick Controversy, Explained

Explore the NewsClick controversy as it sparks concerns over press freedom and alleged Chinese links in this comprehensive explanation.

What is NewsClick?

[{"selector":"#anim-5e82d019-ddb4-4861-8522-e169131e6e3e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e28d999-e078-4281-a8f7-685714aac1cf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.09434%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f2a5c1c1-389e-4b72-b7b6-ae636c58b44c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d14189cb-3da2-4534-a0ef-bd35144b4ca4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-118.15181%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Established in 2009, NewsClick is an independent media house known for its critical reporting on the government. Established in 2009, NewsClick is an independent media house known for its critical reporting on the government.

New York Times Report

[{"selector":"#anim-2c1423e2-3588-4d8f-8837-71436f56eddc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b70e65ca-ceb7-4375-af06-dae9126c9eef","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-122.53521%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0bac3664-81aa-42a4-bec0-2f6675154f96","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8fb24c7b-0121-4304-b92a-793b71ad81b7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.03449%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] NYT alleged that NewsClick's coverage was influenced by Chinese government talking points, triggering controversy. NYT alleged that NewsClick's coverage was influenced by Chinese government talking points, triggering controversy.

Government Got Involved

[{"selector":"#anim-6ae19931-2fa7-439e-bd8e-b385cb384c15","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2db45f07-2f41-4a60-82fb-68b440bb1beb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.32027%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3cf81374-4f30-41b1-acd8-48d655c26c14","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ca91dec7-dc53-4d1a-a8e0-74cd1065cc26","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.97444%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] NewsClick was probed by the Enforcement Directorate in 2021 for alleged money laundering and ties to Chinese interests. NewsClick was probed by the Enforcement Directorate in 2021 for alleged money laundering and ties to Chinese interests.

Neville Roy Singham's Role

[{"selector":"#anim-4a08107f-c5fc-4e9d-8357-81d28d18e21f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8ec50a47-76bd-49c1-a0e4-6b4740e9ad68","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-109.51009%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e1b751c1-3071-4002-8faf-f027b48e3660","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bb28293e-39a8-4f83-aa56-18eb993fdf55","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-126.2963%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This American billionaire businessman was accused of financing NewsClick and promoting Chinese propaganda. This American billionaire businessman was accused of financing NewsClick and promoting Chinese propaganda.

Response & Protests

[{"selector":"#anim-246675a9-5f34-4478-8090-1fde4a4d12e1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4c9bce5-293e-468f-a512-0c380efcff35","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-125.73529%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b47178ec-bcff-41ef-a4a8-f9b047891db9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-60dcabcf-a9f3-49fe-b6a9-0cd354c0c596","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.88312%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] NewsClick denies allegations, emphasizing respect for the legal process, while media bodies express concern over a "witch-hunt." NewsClick denies allegations, emphasizing respect for the legal process, while media bodies express concern over a "witch-hunt."

Recently: Delhi Police Raids

[{"selector":"#anim-a8af3c8a-1cc5-4097-9a64-28875a5acf16","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-62fa63b7-dd79-4f33-aba1-99b2d4b1f832","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-110.94674%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-146835f8-2c59-45db-8148-beeebae20a8f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2b34b7fe-c670-4c2d-870e-12ba56b5a31f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Special Cell conducts raids on NewsClick journalists & employees' homes in search of evidence of alleged Chinese links. Special Cell conducts raids on NewsClick journalists & employees' homes in search of evidence of alleged Chinese links.

But where?

[{"selector":"#anim-379f3f3c-ba84-400e-9791-f42ec7fe4897","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9182a0ce-0247-4d9c-ae1c-bd22e0273e84","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.5934%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-76bc5ce7-e8dc-4870-8684-179a67498141","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-787cdded-fa4e-4c56-9501-a53d1f6db386","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.63768%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Searches conducted at 30 locations across Delhi, including the NewsClick office, under the Unlawful Activities Act. Searches conducted at 30 locations across Delhi, including the NewsClick office, under the Unlawful Activities Act.

Journalists Detained

[{"selector":"#anim-e7f49d60-b854-47ab-8883-7a3ccd39f7b6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-faefb96a-861d-4352-8f12-a35f5add7915","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-112.38671%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bbf7b63a-fc39-497b-85e3-1a1951ccd014","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-18ca49b5-3921-4bbc-81ad-1655358ca332","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-125.18248%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] At least two journalists, including NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha, detained during the raids. At least two journalists, including NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha, detained during the raids.

Press Freedom Concerns

[{"selector":"#anim-cb95dcd1-769c-40d6-8cfc-c152dccb115e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d88265a2-2c77-4827-9980-d31614cc22f2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.2381%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a4b0c44-e5ae-4332-aad6-189ad1571ab4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-efcec84c-da06-4c61-905c-3cd661d7e08d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-126.39405%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Raids widely viewed as an attack on press freedom, drawing concern from the Press Club of India. Raids widely viewed as an attack on press freedom, drawing concern from the Press Club of India.

Next: See Unseen Photos From YouTube FanFest India 2023

[{"selector":"#anim-68e713aa-a833-4895-8bca-f0439ede39f7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-59d79cd6-d787-4d75-8ab0-33118fc0f96c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-123.04965%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Read more