Perspective
India’s Supreme Court is considering a challenge from digital publishers who say the country’s data-protection framework lacks a clear safeguard for journalistic work. The government says press freedom remains constitutionally protected and has invited editors to raise concerns.
Both privacy and a free press serve the public. The workable balance is an explicit public-interest journalism test: protect ordinary people from needless exposure while allowing reporters to investigate corruption, preserve archives and shield confidential sources without first seeking consent from the subject of scrutiny.
Legal certainty matters here. Vague assurances cannot replace rules that editors, reporters and citizens can understand before a dispute begins.
Sources: The Indian Express; Reuters report on the government response.
