New Delhi: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology, emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring fair compensation for media houses during the inauguration of the Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave 2025. The event, held in New Delhi, provided a critical platform for policymakers, media leaders, and tech experts to discuss the ongoing transition in the media industry, particularly with the rise of digital platforms and the increasing influence of AI.
Addressing the significance of the conclave, Minister Vaishnaw noted that forums like these help shape government policy and facilitate a smoother transition for traditional media to new media. He stated that the conference’s discussions would offer crucial policy recommendations that could steer this transition in a structured manner. The conclave, themed ‘Media Transformations in the AI Age’, also explored the impact of artificial intelligence on the media landscape.
“Through Storyboard18 – DNPA Conclave 2025, there will be excellent discussions on the transition from traditional media to new media in today’s digital media landscape and the evolving world,” said Minister Vaishnaw. “I would certainly like to know the suggestions that emerge from these discussions. I hope all members will come up with practical solutions and approach with an open mind and find the right ways to ensure a seamless transition.”
Highlighting the challenges posed by the evolving media landscape, the Minister noted that there has been a significant shift in consumer preferences, especially among younger generations, who are increasingly moving from traditional media (newspapers, TV) to digital platforms. He pointed out that this transition brings challenges related to employment, creativity, copyright issues, and, crucially, ensuring fair compensation for content creators, producers, and other stakeholders in the media industry.
“Along with traditional media, which included newspapers and television as major mediums, digital media has emerged in a significant manner. In many spheres, particularly among the younger generations, there has been a complete shift from traditional media to digital media. This transition also brings challenges related to employment, creativity, copyright issues, and ensuring fair compensation for content creators, producers, and other stakeholders in the media industry. From the government’s side, we are fully prepared to provide any necessary support required during this transition. This conference aims to facilitate a detailed discussion on these aspects, and would help provide clear policy directions, and offer policy recommendations to the government,” the Minister remarked.
Minister Vaishnaw further emphasized that the government’s focus remains on supporting the media industry during this period of transformation. He expressed his hope that the discussions at the Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave 2025 would provide valuable insights into how the industry could smoothly transition to the digital era, without disrupting its traditional foundations.
The event saw contributions from various policymakers, including Michael McNamara, Member of the European Parliament and Co-chair of its AI Working Group, who shared insights on Europe’s evolving regulatory framework. Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, addressed the Ministry’s role in steering India’s media transformation, while Shri S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), provided a futuristic perspective on AI regulation.
The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), which represents 20 prominent media outlets in India, closely monitors the impact of these transitions on the media industry. As AI continues to shape the future of media and content creation, the 2025 DNPA Conclave serves as an essential platform for stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into media processes.
