The Smear Campaign Against Anand Mangnale

Indian investigative journalist Anand Mangnale, the South Asia regional editor for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, has been subjected to a state-backed online smear campaign after exposing significant corruption. On December 5, 2024, Nishikant Dubey, a Member of Parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, accused Mangnale in Parliament of trying to undermine the government by accessing foreign funds. He alleged that Mangnale was interfering with Indian politics through overseas financing. The official BJP account amplified these claims on X, accusing him of raising “Chinese money” for individuals linked to the 2020 Delhi riots—claims the BJP supported with a report from French outlet Mediapart. However, Mediapart clarified that its reporting was misrepresented, denying that it had accused Mangnale of any wrongdoing.

Mangnale, who is known for investigating corporate malpractice and financial misconduct within India’s powerful Adani Group, anticipates that this smear campaign may pave the way for legal action. Earlier in 2024, he was summoned for allegedly having links with terrorism in connection with his work with Newsclick, although no formal charges have been filed. He has also faced digital surveillance measures, having reportedly been targeted by the Pegasus spyware along with other high-profile Indian reporters, a tactic often leveraged to intimidate independent thinkers.

The Committee to Protect Journalists denounced the campaign, stating it aims to create a chilling effect on public-interest journalism. CPJ Asia’s coordinator stressed that investigative reporting is essential for exposing corruption and holding power accountable, urging the BJP to respect journalists’ role in democracy and avoid weaponizing political influence. The CPJ’s alert spurred public support for Mangnale, with advocates reinforcing that smear campaigns, when state-endorsed, can erode trust in independent media and compromise democratic norms.

This campaign reflects a broader pattern in India where journalists investigating powerful political and corporate entities face threats ranging from online defamation and spyware surveillance to legal harassment. As Mangnale continues his work amidst these pressures, press freedom analysts warn that the government’s tactic of misinformation and surveillance could serve as precursors to formal prosecution, further endangering investigative journalism in the country.