At the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026, senior editors and media executives made a strong case for recognising the value of professional journalism in the fast-growing artificial intelligence ecosystem. The discussion, hosted by the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), focused on how AI tools are increasingly using news content without clear compensation, attribution or accountability.
Speakers stressed that credible journalism is not just raw material for algorithms but a public-interest service that requires investment, verification and editorial responsibility. DNPA Secretary General Sujata Gupta said trust, institutional credibility and human editorial control must remain central even as AI becomes more common in newsrooms.
The session was moderated by Ashish Pherwani of EY and featured industry leaders including Navaneeth L.V. from The Hindu Group and Robert Whitehead of the International News Media Association. They pointed out that AI-generated answers and summaries are reducing direct traffic to original news websites, cutting into the revenue that funds reporting.
Several participants referred to international models such as those in Australia and the European Union, where technology platforms are required to share revenue with publishers whose content powers digital services. They argued that India must evolve its own framework to ensure sustainability of independent media.
At the same time, the tone was not anti-technology. Editors acknowledged that AI can help with data analysis, research, language translation and newsroom efficiency. However, they emphasised that machines cannot replace editorial judgement, ethical decision-making or on-ground reporting.
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