India
'Don't propagate Chinese propaganda': NewsClick issues statement a day after Delhi Police raids
The news portal also claimed that police officials have seized electronic devices from the houses of its employees as well as from its own office premises
FP Staff Last Updated:October 04, 2023 17:20:48 IST 
Security officers carry boxes of material confiscated after a raid at the office of NewsClick in New Delhi. Critics have described the raids as an attack on India's independent news. AP
More than a day after NewsClick came under the lens of the Delhi Police Special Cell for allegedly receiving funding from China, the media organisation issued a statement claiming it had not been provided a copy of the FIR, or informed about the offences people associated with it have been charged with.
“Yesterday, raids were carried out by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police at various locations including Newsclick’s offices, residences of journalists and employees. We have not been provided with a copy of the FIR, or informed about the exact particulars of the offences with which we have been charged,” NewsClick said in a statement.
The news portal also claimed that police officials have seized electronic devices from the houses of its employees as well as from its own office premises.
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“Newsclick’s office has also been sealed in a blatant attempt at preventing us from continuing our reporting,” the online news portal continued.
Furthermore, NewsClick claimed that even though government agencies have been scrutinising the organisation’s bank statements, invoices, expenses and sources for the past couple of years, the Enforcement Directorate “has not been able to file a charge sheet.”
Defending itself as an “independent news website,” it said, “our journalistic content is based on “the highest standards” of the profession.”
“Newsclick does not publish any news or information at the behest of any Chinese entity or authority, directly or indirectly. We do not propagate Chinese propaganda on its website and do not take directions from Neville Roy Singham regarding the content published on its website,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty on Wednesday were arrested in a case filed under the anti-terror law UAPA following allegations the portal received money for pro-China propaganda and were sent to seven days of police remand.
