New Delhi, November 16: Speakers at the National Press Day event held at the National Media Centre today emphasized that preserving press credibility is a collective responsibility, especially as misinformation escalates in the age of artificial intelligence. The event, themed “Safeguarding Press Credibility Amidst Rising Misinformation,” brought together senior government officials, media leaders and representatives of the Press Council of India (PCI).
Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, graced the occasion, alongside Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan, MIB Secretary Sanjay Jaju, and PCI Secretary Shubha Gupta.
PCI Chairperson Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Prakash Desai set the tone for the gathering by asserting that no technological advancement can substitute the moral and intellectual judgement of human journalists. “AI can never replace the human mind — the judgement, conscience and sense of responsibility that guide a journalist must prevent the spread of misinformation,” she said. Desai underscored journalism’s ethical obligations, stressing honesty, accuracy and verification at a time when deliberate distortions and the misuse of technology are growing concerns.
She said the PCI has formed committees and fact-finding teams to promote responsible news practices and reminded the profession of its duty to verify every fact before publication. The Chairperson also highlighted PCI’s welfare and insurance initiatives for journalists, along with its internship programmes aimed at nurturing ethical journalistic values among the youth.
Press Trust of India CEO Vijay Joshi, delivering the keynote address, warned of the deepening “infodemic” in the digital era, where AI-driven content and platform algorithms prioritise engagement over truth. “Let accuracy take over both the speed of traditional media and the engagement-driven pressures of digital media,” he urged. Joshi said that paid news, advertorials and sensationalism have weakened public trust and that journalism must remain rooted in fairness, independence and factual reporting.
He stressed that press freedom is a responsibility, not a licence, adding that protecting credibility requires rigorous verification systems like PTI’s Fact Check initiative and greater emphasis on ethical training for future journalists. “Journalism is a public service built on trust,” he said.
Speakers noted that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how quickly truth and falsehood can merge, a challenge exacerbated by AI tools capable of generating convincing but misleading content. The call for renewed vigilance, stronger ethical frameworks and responsible innovation echoed throughout the event.
Established originally in 1966 and reconstituted in 1979, the Press Council of India serves as the print media’s self-regulatory watchdog, mandated to protect press freedom while ensuring responsible journalism. Over the decades, it has advised policymakers, supported editorial standards and provided mechanisms for addressing violations in the information ecosystem.
National Press Day 2025, the speakers concluded, is a reminder that press integrity remains central to democracy — and that amid accelerating technological change, credibility must remain the media’s most valued currency.
