Ambani, Adani outlets among Indian publishers contesting Modi’s privacy law

Key Points:

• A coalition of 21 Indian news publishers, including firms owned by Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, has filed a Supreme Court challenge against India's new privacy law, arguing it threatens investigative journalism and could expose journalists' sources.
• The law, implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, imposes strict data protection rules without exempting media, raising fears that journalists may need prior consent from investigation subjects and could be forced to delete stories.
• The publishers contend that provisions allowing authorities to demand information from newsrooms and block access to information risk press freedom and could deter whistleblowers from exposing corruption or wrongdoing.
• The lawsuit highlights concerns over the lack of explicit protections for the press in the law, unlike similar regulations in the EU, Singapore, and Britain, despite government assurances to protect press freedom.
• India's press freedom ranking has declined since Modi took office, and this legal challenge is notable as it involves prominent business groups traditionally seen as close to the government, signaling significant unease within the media industry.