Enforcement Directorate, the agency under the Central Government, has raided the office of NewsClick at Saidulajab. It has also raided the homes of its owner and shareholders. NewsClick has informed on its Telegram channel that the raid has been happening since the 10 AM this morning. Further details are awaited.
NewsClick is an independent media organization, ‘dedicated to covering news from India and elsewhere with a focus on progressive movements’. It is headquartered in New Delhi.
Independent and ‘alternative’ media houses have witnessed continuous harassment under the Narendra Modi Government. One of the most important cases remains the assassination of journalist Gauri Lankesh. Other cases include the intimidation of Punya Prasun Bajpai, the ED raids at NDTV, and the recent cases against several journalists such as Vinod K Jose, Mrinal Pande and Rajdeep Sardesai. The raid at NewsClick’s office when seen in this context is a direct attack on Free Press.