NYT Investigation Reveals Connection Between Chinses Propaganda in India & Abroad to US Millionaire
7 August, 2023 | Anamika Singh Parihar
Millionaire Neville Roy Singham is linked to spreading Chinese propaganda in South Africa, India, and the US through a well-funded influence campaign.
Neville Roy Singham, a millionaire from the United States, has been linked to the dissemination of Chinese propaganda across various nations, including South Africa, India, and the United States.
The New York Times (NYT) investigation has revealed a well-funded effort aimed at promoting and advocating for China’s interests through an elaborate influence campaign.
“It is part of a lavishly funded influence campaign that defends China and pushes its propaganda. At the center is a charismatic American millionaire, Neville Roy Singham, who is known as a socialist benefactor of far-left causes,” the New York Times said.
Various organizations like News Click, Code Pink, No Cold War, etc. have been linked to the US tech mogul’s network and its Chinese propaganda.
Singham has funded various websites and popular personalities in countries like the US, India, South Africa, and Brazil.
China, in its ongoing pursuit to establish economic and global dominance, has adeptly harnessed a worldwide network of activists and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This network operates subtly to advance China’s image and echo the government’s positions.
The investigation by The New York Times illustrated how China has skillfully diverted international censure of its human rights violations and seamlessly integrated its perspectives on global issues into international discussions through this interconnected network.
Substantial sums of money, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, have been identified as contributions directed toward organizations associated with Neville Roy Singham. These groups blend progressive activism with viewpoints aligned with the Chinese government’s stance.
The NYT stated that “In New Delhi, corporate filings show, Singham’s network financed a news site, News Click, that sprinkled its coverage with Chinese government talking points.”
A little over two years ago, in 2021, an inquiry carried out by the Enforcement Directorate discovered that the media portal News Click had received approximately Rs 38 crore in foreign funding. The investigative trail led to an American millionaire named Neville Roy Singham, who was claimed to have close affiliations with the communication arm of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
During that time, the findings of the Enforcement Directorate were brought to the attention of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), which contended that forces with anti-India sentiments, collaborating with external influences, were allegedly engaged in a plot to discredit the nation and target the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On Monday, the governing BJP launched a fierce attack against the Congress party, referencing a revelation by The New York Times about an individual’s engagement in disseminating Chinese propaganda globally, including within India via the platform News Click.
While addressing the Press conference, UIB Minister Anurag Thakur lambasted the Congress party for backing the News Click when the BJP had plainly disclosed its Pro-China inclination.
“Even esteemed publications like ‘The New York Times’ are acknowledging the role of Neville Roy Singham and News Click as potent instruments of the Communist Party of China (CPC), actively advancing China’s geopolitical interests on a global scale.
Well ahead of the NYT’s recognition, India has persistently conveyed to the international community that News Click operates as an intricate worldwide network of Chinese propaganda. With backing from similarly aligned influences, Neville has been advancing a questionable agenda against India,” he added.
He also talked about the funding provided by the Chinese Embassy to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) and the MOU signed between the Congress Party and the Communist Party of China to promote Chinese interest in India.
He not only attacked the Congress Party but also the TMC and AAP, claiming their connection to and funding of the News Click.