The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) has warned that India’s new digital privacy law could threaten the functioning of newsrooms and change how news is reported, raising concerns about press freedom and censorship.
The association, which represents 21 publishers from across the media industry, including media organisations owned by the Ambani and Adani groups, has urged the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter.
According to the report, the DNPA approached a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, seeking a stay on the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025.
The association argued that the legislation could create significant challenges for news organisations and potentially restrict their ability to gather, process and publish information in the public interest. It warned that the law could “shut down newsrooms and usher in an era of censorship.”
The Supreme Court issued notice to the Central government and scheduled the matter for a detailed hearing on November 17, 2026.
The case raises important questions about balancing citizens’ privacy rights with the media’s ability to investigate matters of public interest. Digital privacy protections are designed to regulate the use of personal data, while journalists and publishers rely on access to information to report on public affairs.
The upcoming hearing could become an important moment in the debate over how India’s data protection framework affects journalism and press freedom. The court’s consideration will be closely watched by publishers and others concerned about the future of digital news in the country.
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