DPDP Act Does Not Infringe on Press Freedom, Asserts Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, that the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act does not infringe on press freedom. Speaking to the media, the Minister asserted that the Constitution guarantees journalistic independence and maintained that there is no intention to impact media freedom.

Minister's Statement and Government Stance

• Constitutional Guarantee: Mr. Vaishnaw emphasized that journalistic freedom is fully protected by the Constitution.
• Open Dialogue: He invited editors and media professionals to engage in discussions with the government regarding any concerns about the law.
• Potential Amendments: According to a top source, the government is open to amending the law to explicitly safeguard journalistic activities through Parliament if hardcoding is deemed necessary.
• Background: The Minister noted that the DPDP Act follows a Supreme Court judgment recognizing the right to privacy as a fundamental right and was formulated following stakeholder consultations.

Concerns Raised by News Publishers

News publishers have previously expressed apprehension that the legislation could complicate investigative reporting. Their concerns focus on:

• The absence of a specific exemption for journalism.
• Potential difficulties in reporting matters of public interest involving personal information collected without consent.
• Challenges regarding the retention of information needed for investigations and the protection of confidential sources.

Practical Implications and Verification

Readers and media stakeholders can verify the official provisions and updates regarding the Digital Personal Data Protection Act through official government gazettes and parliamentary releases. The ongoing discussions highlight the balance between data privacy rights and journalistic practices.