They said they are seeking legal remedies to protect the idea of journalism as a public good and the right to carry out investigative journalism, research and training free of encumbrances, fear or threats.
Published Jan 29, 2025 | 10:07 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 29, 2025 | 10:07 AM
Reporters' Collective.
The Reporters’ Collective, a group of investigative journalists, said the tax authorities have revoked their non-profit status, claiming journalism does not serve any public purpose and therefore cannot be carried out as a non-profit exercise.
In a statement, the collective said that the decision would affect their ability to do journalism.
“We have consistently worked with public purpose as a non-profit and in adherence to all Indian laws, without fear or favour.
The order cancelling our non-profit status severely impairs our ability to do our work and worsens the conditions for independent public-purposed journalism in the country,” they said in a statement.
The authorities are yet to publically respond on the matter.
They said they are seeking legal remedies to protect the idea of journalism as a public good and the right to carry out investigative journalism, research and training free of encumbrances, fear or threats.
“The Reporters’ Collective has produced investigative journalism in multiple formats and languages, carried out research and trained journalists for the last five plus years. Details of our reportage, fellowships, collaborations and trainings are available on our website www.reporters-collective.in.
We began as an informal group bootstrapping from our meagre resources. Since July 2021 we have existed as a formal registered non-profit trust funded by citizens,” they said.
“We at The Reporters’ Collective continue to believe that journalism, when done right, is an essential public service for our democracy. Journalism done right is a public good. Investigative journalism that holds the powerful accountable essentially serves the citizens, particularly the poor and the marginalised,” the collective added.
“We stand by all our colleagues at The Collective who have shown exceptional courage, skills, and perseverance to produce journalism that we all are proud of. We are not done yet,” it further said.
Tax authorities have revoked our non-profit status, claiming journalism does not serve any public purpose and therefore cannot be carried out as a non-profit exercise. It severely impairs our ability to do journalism. Our statement: https://t.co/79tTEVW8UR pic.twitter.com/ZXRkCaSMcv
— the reporters’ collective (@reporters_co) January 28, 2025
