India's Data Protection Act Does Not Harm Press Freedom: Minister

The Hindu · india

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act does not infringe upon press freedom, asserting that the Constitution guarantees journalistic independence. He invited media professionals for dialogue to address concerns that the law might hinder investigative reporting. News publishers have raised worries about the absence of a specific exemption for journalism, potentially impacting public interest reporting and the protection of confidential sources. The government is reportedly open to amending the law to explicitly safeguard journalistic activities if necessary.