RSF condemns revocation of non-profit status of two independent media outlets
‘Journalism, information essential for proper functioning of democracies’
RSF warns of increasing fiscal pressure on independent media, as both organisations now face commercial taxation, threatening their financial viability
Indian tax authorities have revoked the non-profit status of two independent media outlets, the Reporters’ Collective and the File, prompting condemnation from RSF, which warns of growing pressure on press freedom in India.
RSF warns of increasing fiscal pressure on independent media, as both organisations now face commercial taxation, threatening their financial viability
Paris- based press freedom organisation, Reporters without borders (RSF) has condemned the decision by Indian tax authorities to revoke the non-profit status of two independent media organisations, the Reporters’ Collective (TRC) and the File.
In a press statement, RSF says that the revocation of non-profit status for the Reporters’ Collective (TRC) and the File sets a dangerous precedent for independent media in India.
It adds that TRC, a New Delhi-based journalist association, lost its status on January 28, 2024, after tax authorities ruled that journalism “does not serve any public purpose and the Bangalore-based investigative site the File faced a similar decision in December 2024.
In the statement RSF warns of increasing fiscal pressure on independent media, as both organisations now face commercial taxation, threatening their financial viability.
It adds that the Reporters’ Collective, initially an informal group, registered as a non-profit in July 2021 and relies on donations. Its tax status was revoked after publishing investigations into the government’s handling of global poverty data. The collective has appealed the decision in the Delhi High Court.
RSF says the File, known for investigating Karnataka’s political parties, faced a similar tax revocation when renewing its status
It adds that its founder G Mahantesh told media that tax authorities wrongly labelled it a commercial venture despite being ad-free. The outlet has appealed. In 2023, Bangalore police ordered The File to disclose sources after reporting on civil servants’ reinstatement in a scam.
Célia Mercier
It further adds that these tax revocations reflect a growing trend of fiscal and judicial pressure on independent media in India.
“By attacking independent media under the pretext of tax regulations, the authorities seek to muzzle critical investigative journalism and dry up their financial resources. Claiming that journalism should only have a profit-driven purpose and denying its public interest is to ignore the very nature of this profession and the role it plays in democracy. Information is a common good, essential to the proper functioning of our democracies, and it is thanks to journalists that citizens can access free, reliable, independent, and diverse information. Although this fundamental role has been recognised by international law for years, Indian tax authorities seem intent on ignoring India’s international commitments, including the International Declaration on Information and Democracy. RSF calls for the immediate reversal of the revocation of the status of the Reporters’ Collective and the File,” says Célia Mercier Head of RSF’s South Asia Desk.
