Ashwini Vaishnaw Highlights Challenges Facing Indian Media on National Press Day
New Delhi: On the occasion of National Press Day, Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & IT, addressed the gathering, marking the day as a time to honor the contributions of the press while acknowledging the challenges emerging in today’s media landscape.
In his speech, Vaishnaw began by recalling the vital role played by the Indian press in the country’s history, particularly during two major struggles for freedom — the fight for independence from British rule and the preservation of democracy during the emergency imposed by the Congress government in the 1970s. He stressed the importance of remembering these struggles, highlighting the risk of history repeating itself. In this context, he mentioned that the NDA government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, observes June 25 as “Constitution Murder Day” to remind the nation of the dark period during the emergency.
The minister then turned to India’s current media landscape, noting the country’s vibrant and diverse press, with over 35,000 registered daily newspapers, thousands of news channels, and a rapidly expanding digital media ecosystem that reaches millions of citizens. The widespread adoption of 4G and 5G networks and low data costs have opened up new opportunities for media growth in India. However, Vaishnaw also acknowledged that the rise of digital platforms has brought about new challenges.
Challenges Facing India’s Media Landscape
Vaishnaw outlined four significant challenges currently facing society due to the evolving media environment:
- Fake News and Disinformation
The minister highlighted the threat posed by the rapid spread of fake news and disinformation, noting that platforms often fail to verify content before publishing, leading to the widespread circulation of misleading information. He raised the crucial question of who should be held responsible for the content shared on these platforms. Vaishnaw also addressed the debate around the “safe harbour” provision, a concept developed in the 1990s, when the internet was in its infancy. Given the widespread use of digital media today, he questioned the continued relevance of this policy and argued for a more responsible approach to content moderation. - Fair Compensation for Conventional Media
As digital platforms become the primary source of news consumption, Vaishnaw stressed the financial challenges facing traditional media outlets. These outlets invest significant resources in creating credible, well-researched content. However, the increasing dominance of digital platforms, which benefit from this content without offering fair compensation, has led to an imbalance in the media ecosystem. Vaishnaw called for a fairer arrangement where content creators in conventional media are adequately compensated for their work. - Algorithmic Bias on Digital Platforms
Vaishnaw discussed the impact of algorithms on the content seen by users on digital platforms. These algorithms are designed to maximize engagement, often promoting sensational or controversial content over factual accuracy. He pointed out the risks of algorithmic bias, especially in a diverse country like India, where such content can have serious social consequences. Vaishnaw called for platforms to take responsibility for the effects their algorithms have on society and to prioritize ethical considerations in content curation. - The Impact of AI on Intellectual Property Rights
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in content creation has led to new concerns regarding intellectual property (IP) rights. Vaishnaw noted that AI models are now capable of producing music, text, and other creative works based on large datasets, raising questions about the protection and compensation of original creators. He emphasized that the growing role of AI in media production is not only an economic issue but also an ethical one, and called for safeguards to protect the rights of content creators in the age of AI.
Moving Forward: A Call for Collective Action
Vaishnaw concluded his address by urging society to engage in an open and constructive debate to address these challenges. He emphasized that India, as a leader in technological innovation, must find solutions to these issues in a way that respects its unique social context. In this light, he urged the country to rise above political divisions and focus on creating a media environment that strengthens democracy and serves the public interest.
Looking ahead to India’s vision of becoming a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) by 2047, Vaishnaw called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the press continues to be a pillar of democracy. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the mistakes of the past, particularly during the emergency, are not repeated.
In closing, he expressed optimism about the future of journalism in India, stating that with collective effort, the media can empower citizens, contribute to national progress, and showcase India’s strengths to the world.
“Together, we will build a future where journalism empowers the people, strengthens our nation, and showcases the best of India to the world,” Vaishnaw said.
