Big Tech should compensate traditional media for its content: I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday emphasized the need for fair compensation for traditional media outlets by digital platforms that use their content.

Vaishnaw said that traditional media is losing out financially because news is "rapidly shifting" from the conventional modes to the digital space.

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Speaking virtually at an event for National Press Day, Vaishnaw acknowledged the press's crucial role in India’s freedom struggle and its defense of democracy during the Emergency.

He urged that these historical struggles be remembered, warning that failing to do so could lead to repeating past challenges.

Vaishnaw highlighted the financial struggles faced by traditional media as news rapidly shifts to digital platforms.

He pointed out that while creating quality content requires significant investment in journalists, training, and editorial processes, digital platforms often have an unfair advantage, especially when it comes to bargaining power.

He stressed the need to compensate traditional media fairly for their efforts in content creation.

The minister also addressed the rise of fake news, calling it a threat not just to the media’s credibility but to democracy itself. He questioned who should be responsible for content on digital platforms and proposed revisiting the "safe harbour" provision, which currently protects internet service providers and intermediaries from liability for third-party content.

Vaishnaw also raised concerns about artificial intelligence and its impact on intellectual property rights, urging greater attention to how AI uses content from creators without compensating or acknowledging them. He also warned about the dangers of algorithmic bias, which prioritizes engagement over accuracy, posing potential risks to India’s diverse society.