Mains issueGS-2Editorials30 October 2026

Digital Personal Data Protection Act: Balancing Privacy, Press Freedom, and Public Accountability

An aspirant should be able to critically analyze how the DPDP Act, particularly its lack of journalistic exemption and amendment to the RTI Act, creates a tension between individual privacy rights, press freedom, and public accountability, and propose solutions for a balanced framework.

Source: thehindu.comOriginal report

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Why now

The recent challenge by the Digital News Publishers Association to the DPDP Act, 2023, and its rules, highlights critical concerns regarding its potential impact on journalistic freedom and public interest disclosures, making it a live issue for governance and fundamental rights.

Core issue

The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) has challenged the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and its Rules, citing concerns that the law, by not exempting journalistic activity, could create a chilling effect on media. Journalists investigating public interest issues might be forced to seek consent from individuals they are investigating, with non-compliance attracting hefty penalties. The petition also challenges Section 44(3) of the Act, which amended the RTI Act, 2005, by removing the public-interest qualification for disclosing personal information, potentially hindering investigations into corruption. The Supreme Court has acknowledged the need to balance press freedom (under Article 19(1)(a)) with the right to privacy, and stakeholders are urged to build consensus on a framework that ensures public functionaries are not insulated from scrutiny.

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