With the recent release of a report by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, a Delhi based independent think-tank, the future of news in India has been put into focus. The findings published have cast light on the potential pitfalls and challenges facing the media industry, especially in relation to the transition between print and digital platforms.
The Challenging Financial Landscape for Print Journalism
According to the report, the decreasing economic viability of print journalism poses significant threat to its function as a reliable source of news and its role in keeping power structures in check. As the financial health of print media deteriorates, the capacity to effectively convey accurate information and provide oversight of political and social institutions becomes strained.
Digital News Operating in a Regulatory Vacuum
The flourishing digital news era is found to be operating within a regulatory vacuum, without adequate governance or control mechanisms in place. This void in regulation leaves the digital news sector susceptible to issues such as misinformation and the emergence of a post-truth paradigm in public discourse.
Post-Truth Paradigm and Misinformation Hurdles
The report draws attention to the rising trend of objective facts being overshadowed by emotion-driven narratives and personal beliefs in shaping public opinion, a phenomenon referred to as the ‘post-truth’ era. Coupled with the rampant spread of misinformation, these trends pose significant obstructions to leveraging the advantages of digital news distribution.
Legal Reforms for Transition into Digital Era
For a successful transition from print to digital, the report proposes a series of legal reforms aimed at maintaining high quality journalism and augmenting public good. A key aspect of this is a robust examination of the practices of online advertising platforms, which currently fuel the revenue model of digital news. The report suggests that the Competition Commission of India should look into the dominance of these platforms, in order to ensure fair competition and the protection of public interests.
Addressing Misinformation with Comprehensive Measures
The report emphasizes the importance of comprehensive measures, involving legislation, co-regulation, and voluntary actions to curb the spread of misinformation. Envisaged measures include the development of industry standards for identifying false news and using analytics to detect patterns of misleading information.
The Legal Vacuum for Digital News Entities
Highlighting the current lack of legal cover for digital news outlets, the report calls for a sensitively crafted legislation that caters to the unique features of online discourse. By granting limited powers to the Press Council of India and implementing a voluntary registration procedure, it suggests that an accessible code of conduct could serve as a tool for enforcing editorial responsibility. Furthermore, the report advocates for targeted intervention strategies that cater to the design aspects of online platforms in order to better manage the distribution of news.
