New Delhi: The importance of safeguarding press credibility amidst rising misinformation, particularly in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), was the central concern at an event held today at the National Media Centre to mark National Press Day. The sentiment that the press is the eyes and ears of citizens was echoed by participants, who stressed the crucial role of responsible journalism in empowering a democratic society.
Setting the tone for the event, themed “Safeguarding Press Credibility amidst Rising Misinformation,” Justice (Rt.) Ranjana Prakash Desai, Chairperson of the Press Council of India (PCI), emphasized that “AI can never replace the Human Mind.” She stated that the judgment, conscience, and sense of responsibility guiding every journalist must be the ultimate defense against the spread of misinformation.
In his keynote address, Shri Vijay Joshi, CEO of the Press Trust of India (PTI), proposed a solution to combat the ongoing “infodemic,” advocating, “Let accuracy take over the speed in traditional media and AI algorithm led engagements in digital media.”
The event was graced by the Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw. Also present were the Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Sh. Sanjay Jaju, and Secretary PCI, Ms Shubha Gupta.
Justice Desai highlighted the PCI’s dual mandate of protecting press freedom while upholding high journalistic standards. She called for honesty, accuracy, and a commitment to correct information, especially given the increase in misinformation and technological misuse. She noted that the PCI has formed committees and fact-finding teams, urging journalists to verify every fact. To ensure financial security, she also stressed the importance of welfare schemes and insurance for journalists, mentioning that PCI’s internship programs are instrumental in teaching young journalists ethical practices. While acknowledging AI’s utility, she assured the audience that the PCI remains vigilant against its misuse, reiterating that no tool can replace human judgment and conscience.
Shri Vijay Joshi emphasized the press’s role as the moral watchdog of democracy, which must uphold strong ethics. He warned that public trust has been eroded by practices like paid news, advertorials, and yellow journalism. He pointed out that digital disruption often prioritizes engagement over accuracy, leading to biased information bubbles, a danger significantly compounded by AI. Mr. Joshi stressed the shared responsibility of journalists for ensuring verifiable truth, referencing PTI’s foundational legacy of truth, accuracy, fairness, and independence. His key takeaway was that accuracy must always precede speed, and reporting must be free of any agenda. He suggested initiatives like Fact Check, which employ multi-layered verification, as a means to counter the flood of misinformation. Concluding his address, he asserted that safeguarding credibility demands training future journalists in ethics and critical thinking, noting that press freedom is a public service built on trust, not a license to pollute the information ecosystem.