21 Publishers Challenge Privacy Law Over Press Freedom

A coalition of 21 Indian news publishers, including outlets owned by Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, has asked the Supreme Court to strike down key provisions of the country’s digital privacy law, arguing they threaten press freedom and investigative reporting. The publishers say consent rules could alert people under investigation, while data-erasure requests could force outlets to remove or redact factual reports. They also warn that government powers to demand information could expose confidential sources and deter whistleblowers reporting on corruption or other wrongdoing. Although the government reportedly assured publishers that press freedom would be protected, the Digital News Publishers Association says the law lacks a written exemption for journalism; the challenged provisions are due to take effect in May 2027.