A Pakistani journalist was prompted by the United States to “refer the Government of India” in order to obtain information on the “search” the income tax department carried out at the Delhi office and Mumbai studio of the BBC. The US “supports the value of free press around the world,” the spokesperson for the US State Department stated in response to a journalist from Pakistan.
US redirects Pakistani Journalist to Government of India for BBC Survey information
Spokesperson Ned Price said,
“We are aware of the search at the BBC offices in Delhi. We continue to highlight the importance of freedom of expression, freedom of religion or belief. As human rights, that contribute to the strengthening of democracy here in this country, in India and in our fellow democracies around the world,”
The US official was replying to a query about “raiding” the BBC offices from Jahanzaib Ali of the Pakistani news organisation ARY News in Washington, DC. Price was repeating his former claim that the US is unable to “offer a judgement” in this situation.
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The I-T division conducted a survey operation at the BBC premises to look into a possible tax cheating case. Even after receiving prior notices, the government officials said the BBC was “defiant and non-compliant. “According to the BBC, the organization is “fully cooperating” with the authorities.
Reaction from Opposition
The opposition leaders criticised the move and said it will be perceived as a “petty retaliation” around the world given the timing of the poll following the central government’s dismissal of the BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots as “propaganda.”
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, said in Tweet,
“No institution is above the law, but the raids by 20 tax officials on the @BBC’s Delhi & Mumbai offices &studios are a deplorable own-goal. They will be seen worldwide as petty retaliation for the BBC documentary & as confirmation of the BJP Govt’s drive to stifle press freedom,”
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