Tax survey at BBC office: The Editors Guild of India expressed its “deep concern” about the Income Tax surveys conducted at the BBC India headquarters. The organisation referred to the survey as a “pattern” that continues to “intimidate and harass” media organisations that are critical of the governing elite. Great care and sensitivity should be shown in all such investigations to not undermine the right of journalist and media organisations, the statement said.
‘Using government agencies to intimidate and harass press’
“The survey by the I-T department is in continuation of a trend of using government agencies to intimidate and harass press organisations that are critical of government policies or the ruling establishment,” the Guild said in a statement here.
The Guild mentioned how the IT survey was carried out after the airing of documentaries by the BBC on the 2002 violence in Gujarat and the current status of the minorities in India. It also asserted how similar IT surveys were conducted at the offices of media organisations such as NewsClick, Newslaundry, Dainik Bhaskar, and Bharat Samachar.
In each case, the raids and surveys were against the backdrop of critical coverage of the government establishment by the news organisations,” the Guild said. “This is a trend that undermines constitutional democracy,” it added.
Tax survey at BBC
The “survey” was being carried out after allegations of international taxation and transfer pricing irregularities involving the BBC. Around 20 tax officials searched the BBC’s Delhi office. Mumbai office of BBC which deals with productions was also searched.
“We needed some clarifications and for that our team is visiting BBC office and we are carrying out a survey. Our officers have gone to check account books, these are not searches,” Income Tax sources asserted.
Also read: 75 IPS officers reshuffle in Rajasthan, here’s details
For all the news updates subscribe to our YouTube channel ‘DNP India’. You can also follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER.
