1.23.250.56 at 12:44, 5 October 2023

2023-10-05T12:44:06Z

Ajay Kumar: Creating a new article

2023-08-28T19:10:32Z

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'''NewsClick''' is a news website based in [[Delhi]], India, founded in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/62676/modi-india-newsclick-press-freedom|title=In Modi’s India, the press is more imperilled than ever|first=N.|last=Ram|website=Prospect}}</ref> The website has been accused of peddling pro-China reporting. The controversy unfolded in response to actions taken by the [[Enforcement Directorate]] (ED), revealing alleged involvement of the site in promoting [[Propaganda in China|Chinese government propaganda]] through news articles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NewsClick controversy: Did China shift its propaganda from phone apps to media? |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/newsclick-controversy-did-china-shift-its-propaganda-from-phone-apps-to-media-2418737-2023-08-09 |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> [[Neville Roy Singham]]'s name surfaced in a report by ''[[The New York Times]]'', accusing him of funding a global network that spread Chinese state propaganda and [[disinformation]]. Singham's alleged network financed NewsClick, which was accused of promoting Chinese government talking points.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |last1=Hvistendahl |first1=Mara |last2=Fahrenthold |first2=David A. |last3=Chutel |first3=Lynsey |last4=Jhaveri |first4=Ishaan |date=2023-08-05 |title=A Global Web of Chinese Propaganda Leads to a U.S. Tech Mogul |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/05/world/europe/neville-roy-singham-china-propaganda.html |access-date=2023-08-26 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

== Background ==

Until 2020, the Indian government had banned over 250 Chinese mobile applications, citing concerns about their impact on national sovereignty and integrity. The banned apps included popular ones like [[TikTok]], [[Xender]], [[Shein]], and [[CamScanner]], along with mobile games such as [[PUBG Mobile]] and Garena [[Free Fire (video game)|Free Fire]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Abi-Habib |first=Maria |date=2020-06-29 |title=India Bans Nearly 60 Chinese Apps, Including TikTok and WeChat |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/29/world/asia/tik-tok-banned-india-china.html |access-date=2023-08-26 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Before the ban, Indian agencies reportedly found evidence suggesting China's use of these apps and certain companies for activities ranging from economic destabilization to espionage and [[money laundering]].

== ED's actions ==

In April 2022 the Enforcement Directorate conducted a series of actions against Chinese companies suspected of money laundering. It seized Rs 5,551 crore from the China-based [[Xiaomi]] group,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/business/ed-seizes-rs-5551-crore-from-xiaomi-india-for-fema-violation|title=ED Seizes Rs 5,551 Crore From Xiaomi India for FEMA Violation|website=The Wire}}</ref> and in July 2022 also took similar actions against China-based mobile firm [[Vivo (technology company)|Vivo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/vivo-laundering-an-attempt-to-threaten-integrity-sovereignty-of-nation-ed/articleshow/93098025.cms|title=Vivo ‘laundering’ an attempt to threaten integrity, sovereignty of nation: ED|first=Raghav|last=Ohri|date=July 25, 2022|via=The Economic Times - The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/exclusive-vivo-india-management-summoned-by-ed-347448-2022-09-16|title=EXCLUSIVE: Vivo India management summoned by ED|date=September 16, 2022|website=Business Today}}</ref>

In August 2023, the ED also took action against NewsClick, alleging its involvement in promoting pro-China information,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/newly-emerged-emails-show-cpim-newsclick-part-of-pro-china-agenda-sources-2418168-2023-08-08|title=Communist links, map: E-mails show NewsClick's involvement in 'pro-China agenda'|website=India Today}}</ref> and money laundering.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ed-attaches-newsclick-editor-s-flat-in-money-laundering-probe-charge-sheet-expected-soon-101691560513699.html|title=ED attaches flat linked to NewsClick editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayashta|date=August 9, 2023|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> This marked the first instance of such action against a media firm.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/newsclick-controversy-did-china-shift-its-propaganda-from-phone-apps-to-media-2418737-2023-08-09|title=NewsClick controversy: Did China shift its propaganda from phone apps to media?|website=India Today}}</ref>

== Allegations against NewsClick ==

During the ED's probe, email exchanges were reportedly discovered involving Newsclick Director Prabir Purkayastha, journalists, millionaire Neville Roy Singham, and [[CPI(M)]] leaders like Prakash Karat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Now {{!}} |first=Times |date=2023-08-08 |title=NewsClick funding scam row: CPI(M)'s Prakash Karat and Neville Singham's 'email exchanges' surface |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/newsclick-funding-scam-row-cpims-prakash-karat-and-neville-singhams-email-exchanges-surface/videoshow/102544902.cms |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=The Economic Times |language=en}}</ref> These exchanges allegedly pointed towards promoting the Chinese agenda and were retrieved during the ED's money laundering probe against NewsClick.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

It was claimed that NewsClick received Rs 38 crore from Neville Roy Singham, who resides in China, to disseminate pro-China information in India. Prabir Purkayastha and his associate journalists were accused of publishing paid news in exchange for funds provided by Singham's company, PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd.<ref name="auto1"/>

== Other beneficiaries ==

Apart from NewsClick, several individuals were alleged to have received funding from China. This included Javed Anand, [[Teesta Setalvad|Teesta Setelvad]]'s husband, who received Rs 12.16 lakh, Teesta's daughter Tamara who allegedly received Rs 10.93 lakh,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=The Pamphlet |date=2023-08-08 |title=How Newsclick Funnelled Chinese Funds To Anti Modi Propagandists |url=https://www.thepamphlet.in/english/newsclick-chinese-funds-teesta-setalvad-paranjoy-guha-thakurta-abhisar-sharma/ |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=The Pamphlet |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Gautam Navlakha]] who received Rs 20.53 lakh,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-19 |title=NIA court allows ED to question Gautam Navlakha in "Newsclick" case |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/nia-court-allows-ed-to-question-gautam-navlakha-in-newsclick-case-101645272783220.html |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> and [[Bappaditya Sinha]], a member of CPI(M), who also received funds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/ed-probes-email-exchanges-between-american-billionaire-and-cpi-m-leader-in-newsclick-money-laundering-case-news-309679|title=ED Probes Email Exchanges Between American Billionaire And CPI(M) Leader In NewsClick Money Laundering Case|website=Outlook India}}</ref>

== Neville Roy Singham ==

American millionaire [[Neville Roy Singham|Neville Roy Singham's]] name surfaced in a report by ''The New York Times'', accusing him of funding a global network that spread Chinese propaganda. Singham's alleged network financed NewsClick, which was accused of promoting Chinese government [[talking point]]s.<ref name="auto"/>

Singham is the founder of [[Thoughtworks]], a [[Chicago]]-based software consultancy. He has been described as having contact with the propaganda arm of the [[Chinese Communist Party]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-08 |title=Who is Neville Roy Singham, named in NYT report on alleged 'NewsClick-China links'? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-is-neville-roy-singham-named-in-new-york-times-report-on-alleged-newsclick-china-links-bjp-congress-latest-101691453204995.html |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

== Impact ==

The controversy led to political and public discussions about the alleged ties between NewsClick, China, and individuals receiving Chinese funding. The [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] alleged links between Congress, NewsClick, and China, raising concerns about the impact on India's security and unity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bjp-cites-oppositions-criticism-of-ed-action-against-newsclick-to-allege-links-with-china/articleshow/102533526.cms|title=BJP cites opposition's criticism of ED action against NewsClick to allege links with China|date=August 8, 2023|via=The Economic Times - The Times of India}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Tek Fog]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Indian news websites]]
[[Category:China–India relations]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2009]]

NewsClick - Revision history

1.23.250.56 at 12:44, 5 October 2023

Ajay Kumar: Creating a new article