Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw calls for accountability in digital media to combat misinformation | Biz News
Vaishnaw outlined four critical issues: the spread of fake news, fair compensation for traditional content creators, algorithmic bias, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on intellectual property rights. He called on digital platforms to address these issues and account for the societal consequences of their systems.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw (PTI image)
New Delhi: Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Saturday highlighted the pressing need for digital platforms to fairly compensate traditional media outlets for their content. Speaking at an event organised by the Press Council of India to mark National Press Day, Vaishnaw described the imbalance in bargaining power between digital platforms and conventional media as a significant challenge facing the industry today.
“The efforts made by traditional media in creating credible content must be fairly recognised and compensated,” the minister said. He noted that conventional media invests substantial resources in employing journalists, training them, and maintaining editorial standards to ensure accuracy and accountability, but is now being sidelined in the digital age.
Four challenges we face today;
1. Fake news & disinformation
2. Fair compensation by platforms
3. Algorithmic bias
4. Impact of AI on Intellectual Property pic.twitter.com/TWoYZEUQD2— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) November 16, 2024
‘Traditional media bears the cost of producing quality content’
Vaishnaw emphasised that while traditional media bears the cost of producing quality content, digital platforms reap disproportionate benefits without offering adequate returns to the original creators. “This financial disparity must be addressed to ensure a sustainable media ecosystem,” he added. The minister also highlighted other issues arising from the transformation of the media industry, including the spread of misinformation, algorithmic bias, and the impact of artificial intelligence on intellectual property rights.
He called for greater accountability from digital platforms, questioning whether the “safe harbour” provisions, which shield intermediaries from liability for user-generated content, remain relevant in today’s context. “Globally, there is growing debate on whether these provisions, developed decades ago, should be re-evaluated,” Vaishnaw said.
Ethical concerns surrounding AI
Highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding AI, he pointed out that creators’ intellectual property is being used by AI systems to generate new content without due acknowledgment or compensation. “This is not just an economic issue; it is also an ethical one,” he said, urging stakeholders to safeguard the rights of original content creators.
Vaishnaw also urged digital platforms to adopt tailored responsibilities in the Indian context, given the country’s unique cultural and societal diversity. “Fair compensation and accountability are vital to preserving the integrity of our media and democracy,” he said.
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