India’s new digital privacy law is facing a legal challenge from 21 news publishers who warn that it could undermine investigative journalism and threaten press freedom. The coalition, which includes media companies linked to business magnates Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, has asked the Supreme Court to strike down key provisions of the law. The publishers argue that the legislation could require journalists to obtain consent from people they investigate, force news organisations to remove or redact published reports, and expose confidential sources to government scrutiny. They say these provisions could discourage whistleblowers from sharing evidence of corruption or corporate wrongdoing. Most of the disputed provisions are scheduled to take effect in May 2027. The government introduced the law to strengthen the protection of individuals’ digital personal data, but the dispute raises a wider question: how can a country protect people’s privacy without restricting the media’s ability to investigate matters of public interest? The Supreme Court challenge could have significant implications for the balance between data protection and freedom of the press in India.
