NBDA stands in solidarity with BBC, condemns I-T raids that lead to ‘harassment of media’

The association released a statement, urging the government to ensure that any investigation on its part must be in strict adherence with the principals of the law

by exchange4media Staff
Published: Feb 15, 2023 7:46 AM | 2 min read

The News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) has condemned the Income Tax survey operations at BBC’s Mumbai and Delhi offices in a scathing statement.

“While NBDA maintains that no institution is above the law, it condemns any attempts to muzzle and intimidate the media and interfere with the free functioning of journalists and media organizations. Such attempts undermine the basic tenets of free speech as enshrined in the Constitution and severely affect the free and fearless functioning of a democracy,” read the statement.

NBDA added that such Income Tax ‘surveys’ lead to “consistent harassment of the media, which also impacts the reputation and image of India as the world’s largest democracy. “NBDA urges the Government to ensure that any investigation undertaken by it, must be in strict adherence with the principals of natural justice and prevalent law.”

The I-T department conducted raids at BBC’s Mumbai and Delhi offices on February 14, inviting sharp criticism from the media and opposition parties like Congress and TMC.

The searches at the offices were to recover documents related to the business operations of the company and its Indian arm. According to reports, the raids were in connection with allegations of International Taxation and Transfer Pricing irregularities.

Media reports stated that the employees' phones were confiscated and they were barred from talking to anyone except the survey teams.