Letters to the Editor: Abuse of free press

Abuse of free press

It has been in the news in recent days that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has unearthed a conspiracy against the news website NewsClick, owned by Prabir Purkayastha. The owner of the website has been accused of covertly receiving Chinese funds through an American agent, Neville Roy Singham, who allegedly works closely with the Chinese government media machine. It came to light that the ED had raided the premises of PPK NewsClick Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, in September 2021. The ED's probe is also expanding to a total money trail of more than Rs 86 crore against NewsClick, its promoters, and others. The ED is expected to file a charge sheet in this case soon. Participating in the debate on the no-confidence motion in Parliament, BJP MP Nishikant Dobey dwelt on the NewsClick controversy and disclosed that he had documents pertaining to e-mail exchanges between left leader Prakash Karat and American agent Singham.

An intrigue has, thus, come into the open in which the nexus of political leaders and a section of the media colluded to clear the deck for an enemy country, China, to snoop into our country’s internal affairs. NewsClick is also alleged to have done biased reporting on the Rafael fighter jet deal, and the agenda was picked up by the Opposition parties, which ended in the Supreme Court’s order setting aside the PIL. The matter, which is severe in nature as opined by over 250 eminent citizens who have already sought strong action against conspirators in a letter written to the President and Chief Justice of India, needs to be earnestly followed for a speedy trial of the guilty and treacherous people involved.

Pannalal Dey,

Guwahati.