Union Minister Vaishnaw calls for greater accountability, ethical journalism

New Delhi, Nov 16: Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday called for greater accountability and ethical journalism and outlined four key challenges facing India’s media landscape.

Speaking at the National Press Day function at the National Media Centre, New Delhi, Union Minister Vaishnaw while addressing a gathering of journalists, media executives, and policymakers highlighted four critical challenges confronting India’s evolving media landscape.

He highlighted the urgent need for reform to preserve the integrity and democratic role of the press.

Vaishnaw pointed to the proliferation of fake news as a grave threat to democracy, questioning the responsibility of digital platforms in mitigating the spread of false information.

He noted that the safe harbour provision, which shields platforms from liability for user-generated content, was created in a much simpler digital era.

“Shouldn’t platforms operating in a context as complex as India adopt a different set of responsibilities?” Vaishnaw said, emphasising the need for updated regulations to hold digital platforms accountable.

He called for a new framework to tackle misinformation, which he warned could lead to societal unrest and even acts of terrorism.

Vaishnaw said that while digital platforms dominate the media landscape, traditional content creators struggle to secure fair compensation for their work.

He highlighted the financial pressures faced by conventional media, which invests significantly in journalistic standards and editorial processes.

“The efforts made by conventional media in creating content need to be fairly and suitably compensated,” he said, advocating for equitable revenue-sharing models that acknowledge the contributions of legacy media in sustaining high-quality journalism. Vaishnaw expressed concerns over algorithmic bias on digital platforms, which often prioritise sensational or divisive content to maximise engagement.

He warned of the social implications of such biases, especially in a diverse country like India.

“Algorithms driving engagement have deep societal impacts,” he said, calling for platforms to devise solutions that mitigate these biases and promote a more balanced and constructive discourse.

Vaishnaw said that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) had created new ethical and economic challenges, particularly regarding intellectual property rights.

He highlighted the disruptive potential of AI, which could generate creative content based on vast datasets without recognizing the original creators.

“What happens to the rights and recognition of the original creators who contributed to that data?” Vaishnaw said, stressing the need for policies to ensure creators are fairly compensated and acknowledged for their work. “This is not just an economic issue; it is an ethical issue as well.”

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan, who also spoke at the event, highlighted the challenges posed by the speed at which fake news spreads in the digital era.

He highlighted the importance of responsible journalism and government efforts like as the establishment of a Fact Check Unit by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) to curb misinformation.

Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Sanjay Jaju detailed initiatives aimed at supporting journalists, including health and welfare schemes, as well as capacity-building programmes through institutions like the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC).

He emphasised recent regulatory reforms, such as the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023, which modernises the framework governing media operations in India.

Chairperson of the Press Council of India (PCI), Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai emphasised the council's commitment to maintaining journalistic integrity and protecting public interest.

She highlighted the importance of timely and accurate news delivery in an age where digital platforms, blogs, and podcasts have expanded access to information.

“The PCI's efforts, including awards and internship programmes, aim to foster ethical journalism and nurture aspiring journalists, promoting a culture of responsibility and awareness in the media industry,” Justice Desai said.

The National Press Day celebrations underscored the evolving role of the press in shaping public opinion and the need for adaptive regulations to navigate the complexities of the digital age.

With over 35,000 registered newspapers, a multitude of news channels, and a massive digital infrastructure, India's vibrant media ecosystem faces both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges as it moves towards a more equitable and accountable future.