Journalists' Unions Express 'Deep Concern' Over 'Targeted Campaign' Against NewsClick

New Delhi: Various organisations and journalists’ bodies have come together to express ‘deep concern’ over the ongoing targeted campaign against NewsClick and its founders. Signatories include Umakant Lakhera, President of the Press Club of India, Sujata Madhok, President of the Delhi Union of Journalists, Shobhna Jain, President of the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) and CK Nayak, President of the Press Association.

In a press statement, the organisations said that the recent accusations levelled by senior political figures, including some Members of Parliament, suggesting that the portal serves as a mouthpiece for a neighbouring country are both 'unwarranted and condemnable'. The statement added that any media outlet which critically examines government action does not render them unpatriotic or a tool of any foreign nation. 

The signatories also believe that if the sources of funding for NewsClick are under scrutiny, the same transparency should extend to supporters and backers of various other portals aligned with the establishment. 

Read the Full Statement Below:

PRESS CLUB OF INDIA 

PRESS STATEMENT
 

Statement We, the undersigned organizations, express deep concern over the ongoing targeted campaign against the news web portal Newsclick and its founders. The recent accusations levelled by senior political figures, including some Members of Parliament, suggesting that the portal serves as a mouthpiece for a neighbouring country are both unwarranted and condemnable. While Newsclick, like other media outlets, critically examines government actions, this does not render it unpatriotic or a tool of any foreign nation. The portal features contributions from individuals of integrity and substance. Articles that offer critical yet appreciative perspectives on the policies of other countries should not be mistaken for advocacy on their behalf, nor should they be labelled as anti-national or seditious.

If the sources of funding for Newsclick are under scrutiny, the same transparency should extend to supporters and backers of various other portals aligned with the establishment. It is imperative for the interests of complete transparency that the sponsors and funding sources of all such portals be disclosed. Without such disclosure, the recent actions targeting Newsclick could rightly be characterized as a witch-hunt.

Media organizations function within the confines of Indian law, and it is equally important for government agencies to adhere to these standards. A thriving democracy necessitates that media outlets, regardless of their affiliations, have the freedom to operate without government or corporate pressures. The vitality of democracy is inextricably linked to independent media.

Umakant Lakhera (President, Press Club of India)

C.K. Nayak (President, Press Association)

Sujata Madhok (President, Delhi Union of Journalists)

Shobhna Jain (President, IWPC)