Context
Recent actions against NewsClick journalists highlight the growing need of digital data protection. India is facing a short-term dilemma due to growing digital control, and the country's highest courts don't seem willing to intervene significantly.

Dangers to Press Freedom  
• Historical Models and the Current Crisis: The Puttaswamy case maintains the right to privacy, but there are still problems with its implementation.
• Erosion of Press Freedom: India's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index is poor due to court intervention.
• Inconsistency with Fundamental Rights: The outdated Code of Criminal Procedure ignores modern technological advancements. Authorities for searches and seizures are routinely abused, even in the absence of a warrant.
 
The Challenges Journalists Face:  
• Inadequate Legal Protections: By granting warrants without carrying out a thorough investigation, magistrates reduce the level of legal protections available to them.
• Judgements and Force: An iPhone can be forced to unlock according to a Karnataka High Court ruling. Uncertainty encourages reporter danger and investigator suppression.
• When data from seizures and searches includes information on both personal and professional conversations, vulnerabilities are revealed. Discussions on national security, source protection, and confidentiality are all vulnerable to intrusion.

Court and Action Request  
Why The Need for Courage and Judicial Inaction: Although journalists are prosecuted, the court seldom takes corrective action. The goal of the proposed protections is to uphold journalists' rights.
• Digital authoritarianism is on the rise in India, endangering the constitution of the nation.
• Role and function: Maintaining democracy and the balance of power depends on journalists.

LTX Mains Question
Q. India's poor ranking on the Journalistic Freedom Index reflects the growing threat to journalistic freedom. Analyse. Discuss the reforms that the media must undergo in order to regain the public's trust and fulfil its role as the fourth pillar of democracy.