New Delhi: The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) has welcomed recent statements by India’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, calling for greater regulation of Big Tech companies like Google and Meta. The Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by Indian news publishers struggling against the monopolistic practices of these tech giants, particularly concerning digital advertising revenue.
For years, Indian news outlets have been pushing for a fairer system where they receive equitable compensation for their content, which is often used to drive traffic and engagement on platforms like Google and Facebook. Currently, these platforms control the majority of digital ad revenue, leaving publishers with little bargaining power. The DNPA argues that this “take it or leave it” approach threatens the financial viability of digital news in India.
Minister Vaishnaw echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in how revenue is shared. He also highlighted the growing problem of fake news propagated by algorithms that prioritize sensationalism over credible journalism. This, he warned, erodes public trust in reliable news sources and poses a threat to India’s democracy.
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Adding another layer to the debate, the DNPA also pointed out the potential dangers of AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. These tools, they argue, could be used to distort Indian narratives by promoting foreign biases, potentially harming local media and disrupting the country’s information ecosystem.
The DNPA drew attention to countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK, which have already implemented regulations to ensure Big Tech companies share revenue fairly with news publishers. While India’s Competition Commission (CCI) is currently investigating Big Tech’s antitrust practices, a comprehensive regulatory framework is still needed.
“The Minister’s statements are a clarion call for fair revenue sharing and regulation in the digital news sector,” said Sujata Gupta, Secretary General of DNPA. She urged the government to take swift action to protect the future of credible journalism in India by creating enforceable guidelines that ensure fair compensation for news publishers and regulate the use of AI in news dissemination.
