Prabir Purkayastha, founder of NewsClick website, was illegally arrested under an antiterrorism law last year, but India’s Supreme Court has ordered his release on bail.
The arrest of Purkayastha, accused of receiving foreign funds for his news outlet allegedly promoting Chinese propaganda, was deemed illegal by the Supreme Court due to lack of proper documentation.
NewsClick, known for its critical coverage of progressive movements in India, faced scrutiny for its alleged financial ties with a U.S. millionaire with connections to China.
The arrest sparked debate on press freedom in India, where raids on media outlets critical of the government have been condemned by watchdogs and rights groups.
The court ruling in favor of Purkayastha’s release marked a victory for independent media, but the ongoing investigation against him and his outlet continues.
Despite government pressure on dissenting voices, journalists in India strive to uphold press freedom amidst challenges and threats to their work.