Ashwini Vaishnaw Calls for Fair Compensation as Indian Media Navigates Digital Transition

Union Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has emphasized the need for robust discussions on ensuring fair compensation and protection of employment as traditional media transitions into the digital era. Speaking at the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) Conclave 2025, Vaishnaw assured the government’s full support to the industry during this period of rapid transformation.

Highlighting the growing prominence of digital platforms alongside traditional outlets like newspapers and television, Vaishnaw urged media stakeholders to address key issues linked to this shift. These include safeguarding editorial integrity, protecting copyrighted content, and ensuring journalists receive due recognition and payment for their work.

At the heart of the current debate is the use of original news content by AI companies without authorization or payment. Vaishnaw’s remarks come amid increasing legal challenges in India and globally, as publishers seek action against organizations like OpenAI for utilizing copyrighted articles to train their artificial intelligence models.

This conflict between media organizations and technology companies has been brewing for years. Initially centered on social media giants like Facebook and YouTube, the fight for fair compensation has now expanded to AI firms. In several countries, publishers are demanding revenue-sharing agreements, while some tech companies have threatened to block news content entirely if regulations tighten.

Reinforcing the urgency of the issue, I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju also stressed the importance of fair compensation. He warned that without a sustainable revenue model for publishers, the future of quality journalism in India is at risk, especially at a time when misinformation and sensationalism are on the rise.

Jaju pointed out that while digital platforms thrive on news content created by media houses, the financial benefits are unevenly distributed. He expressed concern that the lack of adequate returns threatens the sustainability of independent journalism and weakens the very foundations of democracy.

The debate also touches on the "safe harbour" provisions under India's Information Technology Act, which were originally designed to protect platforms from liability for third-party content. Jaju suggested that these protections are increasingly being used to dodge accountability, allowing harmful content to spread unchecked.

Globally, there is growing momentum to rethink these legal shields, with many calling for digital platforms to take a more proactive role in combating misinformation, rather than merely responding after damage is done. India, too, is reflecting on how to recalibrate its regulatory frameworks in light of these evolving challenges.

Vaishnaw concluded his address by reiterating that the government stands ready to support the media industry as it adapts to the digital era. He called on stakeholders to craft clear policy recommendations that protect journalistic work and ensure fair financial returns in a rapidly shifting media ecosystem.

As India navigates this complex digital transition, the collaboration between policymakers, publishers, and technology firms will be crucial to safeguarding the future of credible news and ensuring a balanced digital economy.