Sat Apr 26 15:36:20 UTC 2025: **Hyderabad Journalists Raise Concerns Over New Data Protection Act**
HYDERABAD, India (April 26, 2025) – The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, recently enacted in India, is sparking concerns among journalists and activists who fear it will stifle press freedom. At a consultation campaign organized by the National Campaign for People’s Right to Information and Press Cub Hyderabad, speakers warned that the Act’s provisions, including hefty fines of up to ₹500 crore for violations, could be used to intimidate journalists critical of the government.
Anjali Bharadwaj, Amruth Johri, and Rakesh Dubbudu highlighted a key concern: the Act’s lack of exemption for journalists collecting and disseminating personal information. While previous drafts included such an exemption, the final version does not. This means journalists could face prosecution for reporting on matters of public interest involving personal data, even with consent.
The speakers also noted that the government holds sole discretion to grant exemptions, raising fears of bias and potential misuse. They cited the Editors Guild of India’s unanswered letter expressing concerns to the central government, as well as a letter signed by 130 opposition MPs calling the law “draconian,” which has also been ignored. The impact extends beyond journalists; the strictures on accessing personal information will also hinder activities under the Right to Information Act.
The event was attended by members of the Press Club Hyderabad, including General Secretary R. Ravikanth Reddy and Vice President C. Vanaja. The concerns voiced underscore the potential chilling effect the new data protection law could have on investigative journalism and citizen engagement in India.
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