This is not the first time that law enforcement has targeted journalists and protest publications. In February this year, tax authorities raided the BBC’s offices in India, weeks after the broadcast of a documentary criticizing Modi and the rise of Hindu nationalism. In July 2021, the tax authorities opened an investigation against Dainik Bhaskarone of India’s largest newspapers, which denounced the state’s management of Covid-19. Independent websites, including The Quint, were also subjected to similar searches, during which journalists’ devices were seized. In October last year, Delhi Police seized the electronic devices of five journalists working for The Wire after a complaint filed by Amit Malviya, head of Modi’s party’s IT cell.
Since Modi came to power in 2014, the Indian government has charged several journalists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which was previously only invoked when dealing with terrorist organizations. The government has been accused of abusing the law in the past and planting evidence on electronic devices. Sixteen activists, academics and journalists were arrested in connection with a riot in Pune, Maharashtra in 2018, under the same UAPA laws. However, a forensic analysis later revealed that the evidence against them was on the devices of at least two of those arrested. The case continues to drag on. Several activists are languishing in prison; some have recently been released on bail. One of them died in prison, waiting for justice to be served.
The Internet Freedom Foundation, an NGO, said in a statement on X that it was concerned about the seizure of digital devices, which “violate the right to privacy and negatively impact press freedom in exemption from legal procedures.
The Press Club of India expressed solidarity with Newsclick. “The Press Club of India is deeply concerned by the multiple searches carried out at the homes of journalists and writers associated with NewsClick. We are monitoring developments and will issue a detailed statement,” he said.
Saba Naqvi, a Delhi-based journalist, says the raids appear intended to send a frightening message to the rest of the independent media. “How do you target individual journalists while investigating a website’s business model?” she said. “The journalists in question have produced important on-the-ground reporting and analytical commentary regarding India. These are people who care about Indian democracy. The developments are deeply worrying.
