London: The UK government has strongly defended the BBC and its editorial independence following the campaign. The Deputy Minister of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Tuesday told the House of Commons Responded to an urgent question raised in the House of Commons, stating that the government is investigating the Income Tax Department” could not comment on the allegations leveled against it, but stressed that media and freedom of expression are essential for a “strong democracy”. are essential elements of.
FCDO’s Parliamentary Deputy Minister David Ratley called for a “broader and deeper relationship” with India Referring to the UK’s “creative way” Able to discuss issues with He said, “We stand for the BBC. We fund the BBC. We think the BBC World Service is important. We want the BBC to have editorial independence.
“It criticizes us (the government), it criticizes the (opposition) Labor Party, and it has the freedom that we believe is so important,” Ratley said. Freedom is key, and we want to tell our friends around the world, including the government in India, about its importance.”The House of Commons’ The Minister apprised that the survey operation of the Income Tax Department of India at the offices of BBC in New Delhi and Mumbai began on 14th February and ended after three days on 16th February.
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Member of Parliament Shannon said, “The raid happened seven days ago. I would like to respectfully say that the FCDOs are keeping mum. No statement was issued by the government. The questions are being asked so that the government condemns the ruthless attack on the freedom of the press. Labor Party’s Sikh MP Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi expressed concern saying, “With India, we share the values of democracy and press freedom. India decides to raid BBC offices after airing of documentary critical of PM’s actions.”
Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman, a vocal supporter of the Indian government, asked the minister to confirm whether income tax authorities in India have been investigating the BBC for seven years. However, the minister refused to comment regarding the probe. The Income Tax Department has conducted a ‘survey’ and said in a statement that the income and profits declared by the BBC’s units were “not commensurate with the scale of operations in India”.
