Need to balance right to free speech, privacy: Supreme Court
The Indian Supreme Court has asked the Digital News Publishers Association to propose a framework that balances media freedom with citizen privacy. This follows a petition challenging the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which publishers argue could lead to pre-censorship of news.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing global tension between digital privacy regulations and the operational independence of the press.
NEW DELHI: SC on Tuesday acknowledged the importance of media’s right to freedom of speech and expression but said this needed to be balanced with citizens’ right to privacy and dignity and asked petitioner Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) to suggest how these two rights could coexist harmoniously.Entertaining DNPA’s petition terming certain provisions of Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the amendment to RTI Act redefining ‘personal information’ as an attempt towards pre-censorship of news content that violated the media’s right to free speech and impeded media independence, SC said, “You are domain experts. You suggest to the govt and SC how to harmonise the two competing rights.Privacy act will hit freedom of Press: Digital news bodyA bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymlaya Bagchi and V Mohana said: “Media must ensure there is no misuse of the rights enjoyed by it.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Supreme Court needs transparent roster system, says former Judge Oka
'Election Commission Can't Modify Forms 6, 7 And 8': Supreme Court During Delhi SIR Hearing
Delhi SIR : Why Deleted Voters Asked To File Form 6 When They Were On 2026 Rolls? Supreme Court Asks ECI
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in