📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Vyacheslav Argenberg
Politics
Vaishnaw Reassures Press Freedom Amid Supreme Court Challenge to DPDP Act
✍️ The Assam Tribune
🗓 29 Oct 2026, 04:17 PM
👁 14
K. Vaishnaw has stated that the DPDP Act does not threaten press freedom, even as the law faces a challenge before the Supreme Court.
K. Vaishnaw, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, said on Thursday that the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act would not pose a threat to press freedom, even as the legislation is being challenged in the Supreme Court.
The DPDP Act, which seeks to regulate the collection, storage and use of personal data by digital platforms, has drawn criticism from media organisations that fear it could be used to curb investigative journalism. Vaishnaw assured that the Act contains safeguards for journalists and that its provisions will not impede the right to publish.
The Supreme Court hearing, which began earlier this week, is expected to examine whether the Act infringes upon fundamental rights, including freedom of expression. The court’s decision could set a precedent for how digital data laws interact with constitutional freedoms.
Industry observers note that Vaishnaw’s comments come at a time when the government is keen to balance data protection with media autonomy. The outcome of the court case will likely influence the final shape of the legislation and its implementation.
The DPDP Act, which seeks to regulate the collection, storage and use of personal data by digital platforms, has drawn criticism from media organisations that fear it could be used to curb investigative journalism. Vaishnaw assured that the Act contains safeguards for journalists and that its provisions will not impede the right to publish.
The Supreme Court hearing, which began earlier this week, is expected to examine whether the Act infringes upon fundamental rights, including freedom of expression. The court’s decision could set a precedent for how digital data laws interact with constitutional freedoms.
Industry observers note that Vaishnaw’s comments come at a time when the government is keen to balance data protection with media autonomy. The outcome of the court case will likely influence the final shape of the legislation and its implementation.