New Delhi/Alive News: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a response from the Centre on a petition filed by the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), challenging provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act and its associated rules. The next hearing is scheduled for November 17.
The petition, filed on October 6, represents 21 news publishers, including Network18, NDTV and the Indian Express media group. The association has argued that the absence of a specific exemption for journalism could hinder investigative reporting, threaten press freedom and expose confidential sources.
The DNPA has challenged provisions requiring consent for the use of personal data, amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act and the government’s powers to seek information from organisations. It has also sought an interim stay on the disputed provisions.
According to the petition, obtaining consent before using personal information could alert subjects of investigations, potentially allowing them to destroy evidence or intimidate witnesses. The association has also warned that provisions allowing individuals to withdraw consent and seek data erasure could trigger demands to remove or modify published news reports.
The petition further raises concerns that government access to organisational information could compromise confidential journalistic sources, including whistleblowers exposing corruption and electoral malpractice.
The DNPA has argued that the law grants exemptions to government bodies without providing equivalent safeguards for journalism, potentially restricting public access to information and reporting in the public interest.
