As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the media landscape, industry leaders gathered on Thursday at the second edition of the Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave to examine both the opportunities and the challenges that come with this technological transformation.
Mariam Mammen Mathew, chief executive of Manorama Online and chairperson of the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), highlighted AI’s role in democratizing the industry by lowering costs and allowing smaller media houses to compete with larger organizations. Yet, she maintained that technology cannot replace human creativity. “There is nothing out there that lacks a human touch,” Mathew said. “And if AI is involved, there is always a disclaimer for readers and consumers.”
Puneet Singhvi, chief executive of Network18 Digital and president of corporate strategy at Network18, described the AI revolution in digital media as a double-edged sword, evoking both enthusiasm and concern. While AI can enhance efficiency—particularly in video production and podcast creation, Singhvi stressed the importance of integrating traditional and digital media in ways that maintain editorial integrity.
Puneet Jain, chief executive of HT Digital, acknowledged AI’s usefulness in generating headlines and summaries but voiced concerns over the absence of clear regulatory frameworks. “Everyone is creating news, and multiple digital platforms are distributing it,” Jain said. “The editorial standards used by each vary—some are inconsistent, others nonexistent. Without a policy framework defining roles, responsibilities, and editorial standards, misinformation could become an even bigger problem.”
The rapid expansion of AI in journalism has been staggering. Pawan Agarwal, deputy managing director of the Dainik Bhaskar Group, noted that just two years ago, ChatGPT was the dominant AI tool. Today, he said, an average newsroom or creative team relies on as many as 40 to 50 different AI-powered platforms.
Agarwal also highlighted a significant shift in the internet’s evolution, from an open web where information was freely exchanged to a landscape increasingly controlled by AI-driven content aggregators that often obscure sources. He argued that the government must step in to enforce transparency, ensuring proper attribution of content and delineating between open web access for public service and commercial exploitation.
Echoing these concerns, Anil Malhotra, head of public and regulatory affairs at Zee Media Corporation, noted that technological advancements frequently outpace regulatory responses. In light of AI-driven threats such as deepfakes and fabricated content, Malhotra called for urgent regulatory measures to safeguard information integrity.
Jain concluded with a call for a structured approach to AI’s integration in newsrooms, advocating for verified and credible news sources to help readers make informed choices. He also stressed the necessity of disclaimers on AI-generated content to prevent manipulation, along with a policy framework that fosters collaboration rather than fragmentation within the industry.
As AI continues to redefine journalism, the discussions at the conclave underscored a pressing need for balancing innovation with responsibility—a challenge that media organizations and policymakers will have to navigate in the years ahead.
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