Digital Personal Data Protection Act does not infringe on press freedom: Ashwini Vaishnaw

NEW DELHI Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) said the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act did not infringe on press freedom, asserting that the Constitution guaranteed journalistic independence. Editorial | Too little, much later: on the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/too-little-much-later-on-the-digital-personal-data-protection-rules-2025/article70287191.ece Speaking to the media, Mr. Vaishnaw said: “The journalistic freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution. That freedom is absolutely available. There is not even an intention to affect the journalistic freedom.” He invited editors and media professionals to engage in an open dialogue with the government to discuss concerns surrounding the law. The remarks came amid concerns from news publishers that the law could make investigative reporting more difficult. They have argued that the absence of a specific exemption for journalism could affect reporting on matters of public interest, especially investigations involving personal information collected without consent.