Twenty-one Indian publishers challenge Modi privacy law in Supreme Court
A group of 21 news publishers including outlets owned by Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani filed a lawsuit challenging India's digital privacy law at the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Lawyers argue pre-censorship risks
The publishers contend that requiring consent for every story amounts to pre-censorship and could force newsrooms to shut down. Their lawyer told judges that the legislation changes the fundamental concept of what constitutes news. The group argues the law allows authorities to identify journalists' sources without a specific exemption for media.
Government denies press freedom claims
The government previously announced the law to protect digital personal data but did not include a written carve-out for journalists. Opposition parties allege close ties between these business leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though both sides deny such charges. This lawsuit marks the first major legal challenge from large business owners against the privacy legislation.
Hearing scheduled for Tuesday
The October 6 filing is being heard by the Supreme Court and represents a shift from previous challenges by smaller outlets. Earlier assurances given in an August meeting did not result in a formal exemption for press freedom. The Digital News Publishers Association filed a confidential document detailing their concerns about investigative work.
2 outlets, different leads
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Business Recorder
Ambani, Adani outlets among Indian publishers contesting Modi’s privacy law
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Express Tribune
Indian media groups decry Modi’s privacy law in court, say newsrooms face shutdown risk
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2 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.