Leading journalist organisations at the Press Club of India (PCI) have called for the unconditional withdrawal of the draft Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026, citing them as a serious threat to press freedom and free speech.

Participants—including DIGIPUB, the Editors’ Guild of India, the Indian Women’s Press Corps, the Network of Women in Media, and the Delhi Union of Journalists—said the proposed amendments could undermine constitutional protections under Article 19(1)(a).

They cautioned that broader executive authority over digital content could lead to censorship and arbitrary actions against journalists. Several speakers referenced recent content takedowns and shutdowns impacting media, stating that the proposed rules would likely intensify these issues.

Concerns over censorship and self-censorship: Media and journalist organizations warn that the proposed rules could create a significant “chilling effect” on journalists and digital creators, leading to self-censorship to avoid penalties or misidentification by automated systems. They argue that independent creators, including those running podcasts, newsletters, and YouTube channels, would face disproportionate burdens, with compliance costs potentially becoming unsustainable. The groups have also raised strong objections to procedural and legal changes, especially regarding content takedowns and safeguards. They call for strict adherence to protections under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which governs blocking orders. Additional criticism targets proposals to reduce takedown timelines from 36 hours to three hours, expand blocking powers to multiple agencies, and continue using provisions such as Rule 16 of the IT Rules, 2009, which allow content removal without sufficient accountability. The organisations have also demanded the shutdown of the “Sahyog” portal, alleging it lacks proper legislative backing.

What the draft IT Rules propose: The draft amendments, released for public consultation in March 2026, propose significant changes to the regulation of online platforms, intermediaries, and users in India. Critics, including journalist bodies and digital rights groups, argue that these changes could reshape the digital media landscape and weaken free speech safeguards.

What happens next: Journalist groups plan to intensify advocacy by engaging Members of Parliament and other stakeholders to seek withdrawal of the draft rules.

As the public consultation period ends in mid-April, debate over the draft amendment to the IT Rules will likely remain central to India’s discussions on platform regulation, press freedom, and digital rights.

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