NGOs Can Receive Foreign Funds Only for Government-Approved Purposes
The Union Home Ministry has amended the rules governing how non-governmental organisations receive foreign money, requiring them to select their stated purpose from a government-prescribed list and barring them from proselytising under several categories of activities eligible for registration.
New FCRA Rule Brings Censorship to NGO Publications
The central government now requires NGOs that receive foreign funding and engage in any form of publication to declare that they do not circulate “news content” — and to obtain a certificate from the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) confirming this. This could amount to the use of financial regulation to curb the speech and advocacy roles of civil society groups.
FCRA License Cancellations Harm the Poor and Vulnerable
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on July 10 revoked the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of the parent entity of the non-profit Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA), a group known for its rigorous analysis of financial institutions’ impacts on development, human rights and the environment. The cancellation was ostensibly due to improper financial filings from 2018 and 2019, but Joe Athialy, CFA’s Executive Director, suspects the timing and rationale are politically motivated, aimed at stifling criticism of government policies.
Civil Society Groups Say They Don’t Trust Election Commission
More than 120 civil society organisations convened in Bengaluru city to develop an action plan to safeguard India’s democracy, expressing deep concerns about the Election Commission’s (EC) perceived failures and potential vote manipulation on counting day. The gathering, held under the banner of “Wake up Karnataka,” included activists, former bureaucrats and experts who highlighted the EC's shortcomings and proposed measures for accountability.
Activist Harsh Mander Faces Raids, Legal Woes Over Disputed Report
Peace worker Harsh Mander, a former civil servant, finds himself embroiled in legal conflicts after the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) levelled accusations against him in a report, which were subsequently refuted by other statutory bodies and the Delhi government's Department of Women and Child Development, according to Article 14.
Newsreel Asia Celebrates Its Third Anniversary
On this World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2024, Newsreel Asia celebrates its third anniversary. Established by a group of journalists determined to enhance editorial content through new technologies, Newsreel Asia has grown into a platform that puts the well-being of ordinary citizens at the forefront of public discourse.