Will back media in navigating its digital transition: Vaishnaw
Extract
from the article:
In a rapidly evolving media landscape, the IndiaAI Mission is actively seeking
to join forces with Prasar Bharati and All India Radio to harness their rich
repository of multilingual news broadcasts. This collaboration signals a
forward-thinking approach toward leveraging cutting-edge AI technology while
addressing the linguistic diversity intrinsic to India’s vast audience base. IT
Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw underscored the critical importance of ensuring fair
compensation for content creators following rigorous editorial checks. For
Vaishnaw, safeguarding the rights of original content producers isn’t just a
legal imperative but a moral one—aimed at fostering a balanced symbiosis
between traditional media and emerging digital platforms.
On the other hand, the government is also grappling with
thorny copyright considerations as well as the broader challenge of preserving
employment security amid this digital transformation. Information and
Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju revealed that the administration is
contemplating a variety of measures to create an equitable ecosystem — one
where media publishers get duly rewarded without stifling innovation or
compromising editorial independence. This dialogue reflects a nuanced
understanding that media digitization is not merely a technological switch, but
a complex reconstitution of roles, rights, and revenues in the 21st-century
information economy.
My
Take:
A. Government
wants Big Tech to pay news outlets for content
"Hey, look at what I thought of/suggested about this topic, 3/5/7 years
ago. I had predicted this! I had offered a solution for this."
Reflecting on the current efforts by India’s government to
protect media creators in the digital age, I recall my earlier observations
about how Australia's and the EU's initiatives compelled Big Tech giants like
Google to remunerate news publishers for their content. I argued that India,
too, should adopt similar frameworks—not simply as protectionist bureaucracy
but as an overdue correction to an imbalanced ecosystem where Big Tech
leveraged original journalism with impunity. My musings emphasized that, for
these tech behemoths, payments running into a few hundred crores annually are a
negligible expenditure—a “broken leg of a centipede”, but a lifeline for Indian
newspapers. The present IndiaAI collaboration echoes that spirit, acknowledging
how original content creators ought to be fairly compensated, respecting
editorial sanctity and copyright protections.
A. DEAR
SHRI CHANDRASEKHARJI - PLEASE SPARE A THOUGHT FOR THE POOR
"Hey, look at what I thought of/suggested about this topic, 3/5/7 years
ago. I had predicted this! I had offered a solution for this."
In another blog, I appealed earnestly to policy makers,
cautioning them to consider the less visible societal strata impacted by the
digital media overhaul. While Big Tech may appear to dominate the battleground,
it is often the small, independent journalists and regional publishers who bear
the brunt of evolving regulations without adequate safeguards. Today’s
discourse on compensating media houses and managing AI-driven news
dissemination must integrate these voices. As Vaishnaw’s emphasis on employment
protection suggests, safeguarding livelihoods should rank high on the
agenda—not a mere afterthought to copyright enforcement. This aligns seamlessly
with my previous stance that a holistic approach, rather than a simplistic
transactional fix, is indispensable for a thriving media milieu.
A. Virtual
Legislatures: Not Quite There Yet
"Hey, look at what I thought of/suggested about this topic, 3/5/7 years
ago. I had predicted this! I had offered a solution for this."
When thinking about the digitization of our information
ecosystems, including government and media institutions, I had earlier argued
for incentivizing the use of technology to promote inclusion and efficiency.
Just as I proposed tangible incentives for parliamentarians to adopt virtual
legislative sessions—balancing productivity with decentralization—the media too
can benefit from technological adaptation that respects linguistic diversity
and employment standards. The IndiaAI mission’s intent to collaborate with
Prasar Bharati to access multilingual news broadcasts mirrors this sentiment.
It’s a sophisticated balancing act between leveraging AI’s power and preserving
the deeply human aspects: the nuanced editorial rigor, cultural integrity, and
employment dignity integral to Indian media’s rich tapestry.
Call
to Action:
To the Honourable IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Information and Broadcasting
Secretary Sanjay Jaju: As you navigate this pivotal juncture in India’s media
evolution, I urge you to institutionalize frameworks that enshrine fair
compensation, robust copyright protections, and employment safeguards without
throttling innovation. Forge transparent partnerships that foster an ecosystem
where traditional media, AI-powered technologies, and end-users coexist
symbiotically. Prioritize policies that do not just "digitize"
content but democratize access and opportunity—embracing India’s linguistic
plurality and safeguarding the livelihoods of those who give voice to our
nation’s stories. The future of Indian media rests on decisions made today; let
them be visionary, equitable, and enduring.
With regards,
Hemen Parekh
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