Digital News Publishers Association challenges Modi's privacy law in Supreme Court

by@Reuters

Summary

In a significant legal challenge, 21 news publishers in India have criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's privacy law in the Supreme Court, arguing that it imposes a regime of pre-censorship that could threaten the existence of newsrooms. The law requires journalists to obtain consent from individuals before publishing stories, a provision that the publishers claim stifles investigative journalism and undermines press freedom. This lawsuit marks the most prominent opposition to the privacy law to date, coming amid broader concerns over declining press freedoms in India since Modi's administration began in 2014. Notably, the law lacks a clear exemption for journalists, in contrast to similar regulations in the European Union and other countries, despite previous government assurances that it would protect press rights.

Analysis

NDTV: NDTV is a national Indian news television channel owned by Gautam Adani's group. It is a member of the Digital News Publishers Association challenging the privacy legislation in court. Network18: Network18 is a major Indian media company owned by Mukesh Ambani's conglomerate. It belongs to the Digital News Publishers Association and has joined the lawsuit against the privacy law. Gautam Adani: Gautam Adani is an Indian billionaire businessman whose group owns NDTV, a national news channel. NDTV participates in the coalition of media outlets contesting the privacy law in the Supreme Court. Mukesh Ambani: Mukesh Ambani is a leading Indian industrialist whose conglomerate owns Network18, a major media company. Network18 is among the publishers challenging the privacy law through the Digital News Publishers Association. Indian Express: The Indian Express is a prominent Indian newspaper and digital media group. It is a member of the Digital News Publishers Association and part of the coalition contesting the privacy law in court. Times Internet: Times Internet operates digital platforms for the Times of India group, India's largest-selling English-language daily newspaper publisher. It participates in the Digital News Publishers Association's legal challenge to the privacy legislation. Madhavi Goradia Divan: Madhavi Goradia Divan serves as the lawyer representing the Digital News Publishers Association. During the Supreme Court hearing, she argued that the privacy law represents a complete regime of pre-censorship that would force newsrooms to seek permission before publishing stories. Digital News Publishers Association: The Digital News Publishers Association is a group representing major digital news publishers in India. It has filed a challenge against the government's privacy law in the Supreme Court, arguing that the legislation imposes pre-censorship and endangers newsroom operations. Law Provisions: The privacy law lacks an explicit written exemption for journalists, unlike similar frameworks in the European Union, Singapore, and Britain, despite prior government assurances to media companies. Legal Challenge: A group of 21 news publishers has mounted the most high-profile court challenge yet against the privacy law, going beyond earlier petitions by activists and smaller outlets. Implementation Timeline: Contentious provisions of the privacy law are scheduled to take effect from May 2027, prompting demands from publishers that they be struck down.

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