Following severe allegations of accepting funds for pro-China propaganda, Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty, the Founder and HR Director of NewsClick, have been sentenced to seven days in police custody. The Delhi police detained both people on October 4th after conducting a comprehensive investigation into their potential involvement. The media sector has been affected by this episode, which has led to concerns about journalistic ethics and integrity.
Background of NewsClick
Since its founding in 2009, NewsClick has occupied a significant position in the Indian media market. The portal has a sizable audience and is well known for its in-depth analysis, investigative journalism, and coverage of socio-political concerns. The news source has served as a forum for a variety of journalists and authors, offering differing viewpoints on current events.
Arrests and Allegations of the founder and HR director of NewsClick
Credits : hindustan times
Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty, the founder and HR director of NewsClick were detained on suspicion of accepting money to use their media platform to spread pro-China propaganda. After conducting a thorough investigation, the police decided that they should be arrested. In addition to casting doubt on NewsClick’s veracity, the charges have brought up more general questions regarding foreign meddling in Indian media.
Sealing of NewsClick’s Office
As part of their inquiry, the Delhi police on October 3rd sealed NewsClick’s office. 46 people were interviewed during the operation, including journalists. Mobile phones and laptops among other digital devices were taken for additional investigation. This action emphasised the gravity of the accusations and the requirement for an exhaustive investigation.
Interrogation of Important People
The investigation’s focus shifted to Delhi-NCR, which resulted in the interrogation of well-known journalists including Urmilesh, Aunindyo Chakravarty, Abhisar Sharma, and Paranjoy Guha Thakurta. Among those questioned were D Raghunandan of the Centre for Technology & Development, humorist Sanjay Rajoura, and historian Sohail Hashmi. These people spent more than six hours with the authorities before being released following lengthy questioning.
Questions and Implications
There are questions regarding the ethical standards of journalism in India as a result of the arrest and the investigation that followed. Media organisations must uphold objectivity and integrity to guarantee fair reporting. The incident has prompted a review of how news organisations are financed and supervised to guard against the improper outside influence and maintain the veracity of news reporting.
End Thoughts
Recent events involving NewsClick, its founder and HR director of NewsClick, Mr. Prabir Purkayastha, and Mr. Amit Chakravarty serve as a harsh reminder of the difficulties the media business is currently facing. While the investigation is underway, media outlets and journalists must respect ethical standards to guarantee that the public is informed factually and objectively. As this story develops, it provides a crucial opportunity for internal reflection.
