NEW DELHI: Twenty-one major Indian news publishers, including media companies controlled by billionaires Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, have challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s digital privacy law in the Supreme Court, arguing that its provisions threaten press freedom and investigative journalism.
According to Reuters, the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) filed the petition on October 6, seeking to overturn provisions that could compel journalists to disclose confidential sources, obtain consent from investigation subjects and remove published reports.
The case, scheduled for a hearing today, represents one of the most significant legal challenges to India’s data protection framework.
Threat to Journalism
The publishers argue that the Digital Personal Data Protection law, introduced to safeguard citizens’ personal information, fails to provide adequate exemptions for journalistic activities.
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Under the disputed provisions, journalists could be required to seek consent before processing personal information during investigations.
The association warns that notifying investigation subjects could enable them to destroy evidence or intimidate witnesses.
It also fears that provisions allowing individuals to withdraw consent and request deletion of personal data could force news organisations to remove factual reports.
Confidential Sources
The petition further challenges government powers to demand information from organisations handling personal data, warning that these could expose journalists’ confidential communications and discourage whistleblowers.
DNPA members include Ambani’s Network18, Adani-owned NDTV, the Indian Express and Times Internet.
The publishers say assurances provided by government officials in August are insufficient without explicit legal protections for journalism.
The disputed provisions are scheduled to take effect in May 2027.
Modi’s government maintains that it respects press freedom and has defended India’s media environment against international criticism.
The Supreme Court’s decision could have significant implications for investigative journalism and the balance between privacy protection and press freedom in India.
