Abstract

For journalists working in the contemporary media environment, combining artificial intelligence (AI) technology with data protection laws presents both possibilities and challenges. This study focuses on data privacy laws’ role in upholding journalistic freedom in India. India’s Data Protection Law, passed in 2023, is a crucial component in ensuring the confidentiality and security of personal data. This Act protects people’s fundamental rights in the digital realm by establishing guidelines for data collection, processing, storage, and sharing. Building trust between the public, media organizations, and media professionals requires strong data privacy policies. Furthermore, the Data Protection Law is crucial to preserving press freedom since it provides a foundation for moral journalistic practices. Artificial intelligence (AI) applications facilitate media professionals’ collection, analysis, and dissemination of news in the complex world of data-driven reporting. Adherence to data protection rules and ethical concerns is essential for preventing privacy abuses and upholding journalistic integrity. Thus, the Data Protection Law promotes investigative journalism and transparency in public discourse by providing journalists with the means to protect their sources and personal data. By promoting accountability and openness in data processing, this legislation upholds people’s right to privacy while bolstering journalists’ function as democratic watchdogs. The practical implementation of India’s Data Protection Law is essential to promoting journalism and upholding press freedom in AI-driven media. Achieving an equilibrium between technological advancements, ethical commitments, and legal constraints is necessary to preserve citizens’ trust and democratic values in mass communication operations.