IndiaPosted at: Oct 27 2026 2:08PM


‘Newsrooms will shut down’: DNPA challenges Data Protection Law in Supreme Court

New Delhi, Oct 27 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice on a writ petition filed by the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) challenging provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, which it claims adversely affect press freedom.
The DNPA comprises the digital wings of 21 major news organisations, including The Indian Express, The Hindu, India Today, Times Group, Zee, NDTV and Network18.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, also issued notice on an application seeking a stay on the challenged provisions, returnable on November 17.
Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the law could severely hamper investigative journalism by requiring journalists to seek consent before reporting on individuals.
“Newsrooms will shut down if we have to ask for permission. This will set in a regime of pre-censorship,” she submitted.
The CJI said a balance had to be maintained between citizens' rights and press freedom, asking the petitioners to suggest safeguards to prevent misuse of the law.
The petition, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeks to declare several provisions of the Act unconstitutional and challenges Rules 16, 17 and 23 of the 2025 Rules. Independent investigative journalist Yukta Mudgal is also a petitioner.
The plea argues that the Act lacks a specific exemption for journalism, despite earlier versions of the proposed legislation providing for one. It contends that consent and data-erasure requirements could obstruct investigations into corruption and misconduct in public office.
The petition also challenges the government's powers to seek information from data fiduciaries and intermediaries, claiming that inadequate safeguards could expose confidential journalistic sources and deter whistleblowers.
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