The Reporters’ Collective, a non-profit organization known for its investigative journalism in India, has announced that tax authorities have revoked its non-profit status, arguing that journalism does not serve a public purpose.
The move, the organization says, severely hampers its ability to function and raises concerns over the state of independent journalism in India.
The Reporters’ Collective, which has been operating as a registered non-profit trust since July 2021, has carried out investigative reporting in multiple formats and languages, along with journalist training and research.
“We began as an informal group bootstrapping from our meagre resources,” the Collective stated in a press release. “Since July 2021, we have existed as a formal registered non-profit trust funded by citizens.”
The Collective said the tax authorities’ decision directly challenges the role of journalism in a democracy. “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,” the statement read. It added that their investigative work has consistently aimed to hold the powerful accountable, particularly in service of marginalized communities.
With the cancellation of its non-profit status, the Collective now faces significant operational challenges.
“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,” the organization stated.
The Collective also emphasized that it has adhered to all Indian laws and will now seek legal remedies to challenge the decision. “We are seeking legal remedies to protect the idea of journalism as a public good and our right to carry out investigative journalism, research and training free of encumbrances, fear or threats,” it said.
Despite the setback, the Collective reaffirmed its commitment to investigative journalism and expressed solidarity with its members.
“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,” the statement concluded.
The cancellation of The Reporters’ Collective’s non-profit status comes amid growing concerns about press freedom in India, with independent media organizations facing increasing scrutiny from authorities.