DELHI: The Press Club of India (PCI) is set to host a pivotal public meeting tomorrow at 4 PM, inviting participation from various press bodies including DIGIPUB, the Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC), and the Network of Women in Media (NWMI). The meeting aims to address the draft Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Second Amendment Rules, 2026, that were issued on March 30.

As the April 14 deadline for public feedback from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) approaches, many journalists are concerned about the implications these proposed amendments will have on media freedom. "We thank all PCI members who sent in their feedback, as requested, and thereby engaged in the process of involving all of you on this matter of deep concern about the future of journalism," a PCI representative stated. The amendments raise critical issues regarding potential censorship and government overreach, particularly impacting individual journalists and social media users.

If enacted, these rules would equip the government with the authority to flag content directly and enforce compliance from platforms to follow MeitY advisories, often bypassing traditional legal processes. Critics are alarmed that this would formalize intrusive oversight over media, potentially stifling independent reporting and constraining freedoms enshrined in the Constitution. As the debate unfolds, journalists urge for stronger collaboration within the media community to safeguard freedom of expression and ethical journalism practices.