BBC India: Managing director tells staff to report without fear

Image source, Reu ters

The BBC will not be deterred from reporting without fear or favour, said its chief executive Tim Davie in an email to staff in India.

It follows searches of BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai by tax officials.

Mr. Davie thanked the staff for their bravery and said nothing was more important than impartial reporting.

The BBC, which cooperates with the investigation, recently aired a documentary criticizing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Indian government called it "hostile propaganda" and tried to prevent its dissemination at the national level.

Mr. Davie said the BBC would help staff do their jobs safely and effectively.

"Nothing is more important than our ability to report without fear nor favor," he said in the email.

"Our duty to our audiences around the world is to seek out the facts through independent and unbiased journalism, and to produce and distribute the best creative content. We won don't be discouraged from this task.