Jeff Joseph

I was not at home that day when two police constables arrived to take me to the police station. A neighbour informed me about the arrival of the police. What was unusual, however, was that a vehicle belonging to a prominent media organisation was also parked outside my house. It appeared that the media house wanted photographs of me being arrested so they could publish them in their newspaper. Fortunately, neither I nor any of my family members were at home, and I escaped what seemed to be a carefully planned attempt to publicly humiliate me. The FIR had been filed against me after I reported on the layoff of more than fifty employees by that prominent media organisation during the Covid period and the allegedly low severance packages they were given. Before filing the FIR, the media organisation had sent Newslaundry a defamation notice demanding Rs 65 crore. We responded with a detailed reply defending our report. When it became clear that Newslaundry would not be intimidated through a legal notice, a campaign of harassment followed, beginning with the FIR against me. I secured anticipatory bail, but the police still wanted to seize my laptop without providing a hash value. During one visit to the police station, I had a heated argument with the SHO, who insisted on taking the laptop despite the bail order. He even remarked, "How dare you write against such a powerful media organisation?" and dismissed Newslaundry as "just an online publication." We challenged the FIR in the Bombay High Court. A few months later, not only was the FIR quashed, but the Bombay High Court also delivered a landmark judgment in the case. Getting there, however, was expensive. Newslaundry had to spend a substantial amount on legal fees. A single court appearance cost around Rs 75,000, and there were three to four hearings. Drafting charges alone often exceeded Rs 25,000. I remain deeply grateful to Newslaundry for standing by me and fighting the case. But legal battles like these require significant resources. Unlike many legacy media organisations, Newslaundry does not depend on advertisements, it is supported by its subscribers. That is why I appeal to our subscribers, just as you have supported our journalism, please support our legal fund as well. Your contribution helps us fight intimidation by powerful interests and continue reporting fearlessly, independently, and factually.