TL;DR: The Income Tax Department has revoked the non-profit status of The Reporters' Collective (TRC), claiming that journalism doesn't serve a public purpose. This move could hinder TRC's investigative work and raises concerns about press freedom in India.
Hey folks! Big news in the media world! 🌐 The Income Tax Department has yanked the non-profit status of The Reporters' Collective (TRC), a group known for its deep-dive investigations. The reason? They claim journalism doesn't serve any public purpose. Seriously?
What's the Buzz?
TRC has been digging into some heavy stuff, like:
How the government handed over Sainik Schools to the RSS and its buddies.
The BJP's gains from the electoral bond scheme.
But now, the tax folks are saying their work isn't for the public good and have canceled their non-profit status. This could seriously mess with TRC's ability to keep doing their thing.
TRC's Take
TRC is pushing back, planning to take legal steps to protect their right to do investigative journalism. They believe that solid journalism is a public service and essential for democracy. They said, "Journalism done right is a public good. Investigative journalism that holds the powerful accountable essentially serves the citizens, particularly the poor and the marginalized."
Not Just TRC
It's not just TRC feeling the heat. At least two other media outlets running as charitable trusts with tax exemptions have gotten similar notices. For example, Bengaluru-based Kannada website The File got a notice in December 2024. Their founder, G. Mahantesh, argues that their site is ad-free and not a commercial venture.
Bigger Picture
This isn't the first time the tax department has eyed media outlets. Back in 2022, they looked into The Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation’s finances, raising concerns about government meddling in the media.
India's press freedom is already under the microscope, with the country ranking 159 in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.
Why It Matters
Moves like this could make it tougher for independent media to operate freely. If journalism isn't seen as a public service, it could lead to more crackdowns on outlets that hold those in power accountable.
Join the Conversation
What do you think about the government's move to revoke TRC's non-profit status? Is journalism a public service? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 🗣️👇
