NEW DELHI: A group of 21 news publishers, including media companies owned by Indian billionaires Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, has challenged the country’s privacy law in the Supreme Court, arguing that it could undermine investigative journalism and expose journalists’ confidential sources.
According to court documents reviewed by Reuters, the publishers filed the lawsuit on October 6, contending that the law does not adequately protect media organisations and threatens press freedom. The case is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday.
The law, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, aims to protect users’ digital personal data and imposes additional compliance requirements on platforms such as Meta and Google. However, the publishers argue that the absence of a specific exemption for journalists leaves news organisations vulnerable to restrictions.
In a confidential filing, the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) said media companies had received assurances from the government during an August meeting that press freedom would be protected. However, the absence of written safeguards similar to those in the European Union, Singapore and Britain remained a concern.
The publishers are seeking the removal of several disputed provisions scheduled to take effect in May 2027. They argue that the law could require journalists to obtain consent from individuals they investigate, compel publishers to remove published stories and allow authorities to seek information that could reveal confidential sources.
The 698-page filing warns that the provisions could significantly weaken investigative reporting and amount to pre-censorship.
The challenge represents a notable legal confrontation between the government and businesses led by Ambani and Adani, whom opposition parties have accused of receiving favourable treatment from Modi’s administration. Both the government and the business groups have rejected those allegations.
The DNPA, the participating media companies and India’s information technology ministry did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
The case comes amid continuing debate over press freedom in India since Modi took office in 2014. Reporters Without Borders ranked India 157th out of 180 countries in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, down from 140th in 2014. The Indian government has rejected the rankings, maintaining that the country has a vibrant media sector comprising hundreds of newspapers and television channels.