New Delhi, February 27 – The Indian government is ready to assist the media industry in adapting to rapid digital transformation, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated on Thursday. Addressing the Storyboard18-DNPA Conclave via video message, he underscored key concerns such as copyright issues and fair compensation for traditional media houses whose content is used by digital platforms.
Vaishnaw highlighted the significant shift of younger audiences from traditional to digital media and emphasized the need for legacy media to evolve accordingly. He acknowledged the challenges of this transition, including employment uncertainties, creative rights, and the fair remuneration of content creators and producers.
“As the government, we are fully prepared to provide any necessary support required during this transition,” he affirmed, expressing confidence that discussions at the conclave would help in ensuring a seamless shift to digital platforms without disruptions.
“The global discourse around safe harbour protections signals the need for platforms to proactively curb misinformation, rather than reacting after harm is done,” Jaju remarked.
He further addressed the economic challenges faced by Indian media houses, pointing out that their content significantly contributes to digital engagement. However, he noted that these publishers receive little in return. Jaju also highlighted ethical concerns regarding AI models training on news articles without compensating the original creators, repurposing journalistic content for corporate gains.
The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), which represents 20 leading media outlets across print and electronic media in India, is at the forefront of advocating for these changes.
As digital platforms continue to reshape the media landscape, the government’s commitment to supporting a fair and sustainable transition remains crucial. The discussions at the DNPA Conclave are expected to shape policy frameworks that balance innovation with ethical media practices.
Vaishnaw highlighted the significant shift of younger audiences from traditional to digital media and emphasized the need for legacy media to evolve accordingly. He acknowledged the challenges of this transition, including employment uncertainties, creative rights, and the fair remuneration of content creators and producers.
“As the government, we are fully prepared to provide any necessary support required during this transition,” he affirmed, expressing confidence that discussions at the conclave would help in ensuring a seamless shift to digital platforms without disruptions.
Addressing Misinformation and Revenue Distribution in Digital Media
Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju raised concerns over the unchecked spread of misinformation and clickbait journalism, which he said posed a threat to democratic values. He also pointed to the safe harbour provisions under the IT Act, which protect digital intermediaries but, at times, serve as an excuse to evade responsibility.“The global discourse around safe harbour protections signals the need for platforms to proactively curb misinformation, rather than reacting after harm is done,” Jaju remarked.
He further addressed the economic challenges faced by Indian media houses, pointing out that their content significantly contributes to digital engagement. However, he noted that these publishers receive little in return. Jaju also highlighted ethical concerns regarding AI models training on news articles without compensating the original creators, repurposing journalistic content for corporate gains.
Call for Transparent Revenue-Sharing Mechanisms
Jaju mentioned that several countries have enacted laws requiring digital platforms to share revenues with news publishers. He emphasized that India was closely monitoring global regulatory trends and stressed the need for a transparent revenue-sharing mechanism to ensure the financial sustainability of journalism.The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), which represents 20 leading media outlets across print and electronic media in India, is at the forefront of advocating for these changes.
As digital platforms continue to reshape the media landscape, the government’s commitment to supporting a fair and sustainable transition remains crucial. The discussions at the DNPA Conclave are expected to shape policy frameworks that balance innovation with ethical media practices.