India media groups challenge privacy rules in top court

India's Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the government's response to a challenge by news publishers who say new data privacy rules threaten press freedom.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government introduced the rules last year to guide a law aimed at strengthening personal data protection. Critics say the rules are too broad and could undermine public interest reporting.

The Digital News Publishers Association, which represents some of India's biggest news organisations, said the rules “fail to provide any exemption in favour of journalistic activity” and “threaten the full spectrum of journalistic activity”.

Sujata Gupta of the association said the rules could affect investigative journalism and compromise sources.

Reporters Without Borders said the requirement to disclose all personal data processed, without a public interest exemption, would seriously hinder investigative reporting and could discourage whistleblowers.

Independent activists and smaller news organisations have also challenged provisions removing exemptions for personal information sought under India's Right To Information transparency law. The Reporters' Collective argued in a legal challenge that the change allows government information officers to withhold information deemed personal even when it has a significant connection to public activity or public interest.

Critics have long accused Modi's Hindu nationalist government of undermining press freedom, a charge it denies. The court will next hear the matter on November 17.