Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
Indian media groups challenge privacy law over press freedom concerns
A group representing 21 Indian news publishers has challenged the country’s privacy law in the Supreme Court.
The Digital News Publishers Association says the law could require journalists to get people’s consent before publishing information about them.
Publishers say this could obstruct investigations and expose confidential sources by allowing the government to seek information from news organisations.
The association also says the law could force outlets to remove stories and make routine, time-sensitive reporting harder.
The law’s disputed provisions are due to take effect in May 2027, and the publishers say it has no written exemption for journalism.
The court has asked the government to respond but has not granted a stay, and it listed the case for a detailed hearing on November 17.
The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre on a challenge by the Digital News Publishers Association to India’s data protection law and rules.
The association, which represents 21 publishers, says the law lacks an exemption for journalism and could restrict reporting and investigative work.
It argues that consent and data-erasure requirements could force publishers to remove stories and expose confidential sources.
The court listed the case for a detailed hearing on November 17, alongside pending petitions.
- Who
- The Digital News Publishers Association, representing 21 publishers, challenged the law. The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre.
- What
- The association contests provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and its rules, saying they could undermine press freedom.
- When
- The Supreme Court issued notice on October 27, 2026. The next hearing is scheduled for November 17.
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India in New Delhi.
- Why
- The association says the law lacks a specific exemption for journalism and could require consent, force erasure of reports and expose sources.
Digital News Publishers Association
Centre
Consent and reporting
Digital News Publishers Association
The association says consent requirements could impede routine and investigative reporting.
Centre
Not stated
Journalism protections
Digital News Publishers Association
The association says the law lacks a specific exemption for journalistic activity.
Centre
Not stated
Sources and erasure
Digital News Publishers Association
The association says government access powers could expose sources and erasure rules could force removal of reports.
Centre
Not stated
The 21 publishers’ challenge was filed, according to Inc42.
The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre on the association’s petition.
The case is scheduled for a detailed hearing alongside pending petitions.
- Petitioning group
- Digital News Publishers Association
- Publishers represented
- 21
- Law challenged
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025
- Next hearing
- November 17, 2026
- Implementation date
- Most contentious provisions are set to take effect from May 2027
6 sources
Indian media groups challenge Modi’s privacy law in court, say newsrooms face shutdown risk
Indian media groups decry Modi’s privacy law in court, say newsrooms face shutdown risk
New privacy law will shut down newsrooms, change the concept of news: Digital News Publishers Association
SC seeks Centre’s response to media body’s plea challenging data protection act
News Publishers Move SC To Challenge The DPDP Act
What people are saying
If I (publishers) are left to the mercy of the data principal, it will close down news rooms… They are changing the very concept of news
If I am left to the mercy of the data principal as to whether he or she will give consent, how will news be reported?
We cannot pass ex parte orders of stay
You (DNPA) are the best person to tell us… How do we ensure that a balance is struck?