Neville Roy Singham
An investigation report in The New York Times has alleged that the Indian news portal NewsClick is among several organizations suspected of receiving funding from a network with ties to US millionaire Neville Roy Singham. The investigation raises concerns about the portal's potential involvement in disseminating Chinese propaganda.
The allegations initially surfaced in 2021 when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a raid on NewsClick's premises as part of a probe into foreign remittances. The ED claimed to have found evidence of foreign remittances totalling over Rs 77 crore between 2018 and 2021.
These remittances were reportedly in the form of subscriptions to shares of PPK Newsclick Studio, the entity that owns NewsClick, as well as for certain services.
According to the ED, the funds originated from various companies, including Worldwide Media Holdings LLC, Delaware; Justice & Education Fund Inc; Tricontinental Ltd Inc, USA; GSPAN LLC, USA; and Centro Popular De Midas, Brazil. The ED suggests that these companies are linked to Singham, whom they identify as "a contact person of CPC, China."
The report further claimed that Singham, 69, who is based in Shanghai, operates through a complex network of non-profit groups and shell companies. The report alleges that Singham has close ties to the Chinese government's media apparatus and is purportedly financing propaganda efforts.
NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha responded to the allegations, stating that they are not new and that the matter is currently under legal scrutiny. Singham also denied the allegations, asserting that he does not have any affiliation with political parties or governments and is guided solely by his personal beliefs.