NewsClick and Chinese Money for Spreading Propaganda in India
NewsClick and Chinese Money for Spreading Propaganda in India
NewsClick is a popular Indian news website that has been accused of receiving foreign money to spread Chinese propaganda in India. In 2021, an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of India found that NewsClick had received approximately Rs 38 crores from entities allegedly linked to the Communist Party of China (CCP). The ED also found that NewsClick had published articles that were pro-China and anti-India.
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In 2023, a New York Times report alleged that NewsClick was funded by US millionaire Neville Roy Singham, who has been described as a "prolific funder of Chinese propaganda" by the Times. The report also said that Singham's network financed NewsClick, which incorporated Chinese government talking points into its coverage.
NewsClick has denied the allegations of receiving foreign money to spread Chinese propaganda. However, the ED and the New York Times reports have raised serious concerns about the independence of NewsClick.
Some of the Chinese propaganda that NewsClick has been accused of spreading includes:
- Promoting the Chinese government's narrative on the COVID-19 pandemic, including its claims that the virus originated in the United States and that China's response to the pandemic was superior to that of other countries.
- Downplaying the threat posed by China to India's security, including its military incursions into Indian territory.
- Promoting Chinese economic interests in India, such as the Belt and Road Initiative.
The allegations against NewsClick have raised concerns about the increasing influence of China in India's media landscape. China is known to use propaganda to advance its interests around the world, and India is no exception.
The Indian government has also been accused of cracking down on freedom of the press in recent years. In 2023, the government raided the homes of journalists and editors of NewsClick, and arrested its founder and editor-in-chief, Prabir Purkayastha, under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a stringent anti-terror law.
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The Indian government has defended its actions against NewsClick, saying that it is investigating the website's alleged Chinese links. However, critics say that the government is using the UAPA to silence its critics and suppress freedom of the press.
The allegations against NewsClick are a serious matter. If true, they would mean that a popular Indian news website has been compromised by Chinese propaganda. This would be a major blow to India's democracy and freedom of the press.
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