- National Press Day event in New Delhi warns against rising misinformation in the AI era.
- PCI Chairperson says AI cannot replace human judgment or a journalist’s conscience.
- PTI CEO urges accuracy over speed and algorithm-driven engagement.
- Ashwini Vaishnaw attends event, calls for responsible journalism.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th Nov: At a National Press Day event held at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, speakers emphasised that safeguarding press credibility is a collective responsibility, especially amid rising misinformation in the age of artificial intelligence. Participants stressed that the press remains the eyes and ears of citizens in a democracy and must uphold accuracy to empower society.
Press Council of India (PCI) Chairperson Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Prakash Desai, setting the tone for the event, said that AI can never replace the human mind. She noted that a journalist’s judgement, conscience and sense of responsibility must guide reporting to prevent the spread of misinformation, particularly at a time when misuse of technology is accelerating.
In his keynote address, Press Trust of India (PTI) CEO Vijay Joshi outlined a practical approach to counter the growing “infodemic”. He said accuracy must be placed above speed in traditional media and above algorithm-led engagement in digital spaces. He added that digital disruption has created information bubbles that prioritise virality over truth, a trend made more dangerous by AI-driven distortions.
Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw graced the occasion. Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan, I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju and PCI Secretary Shubha Gupta were also present.
PCI Calls for Responsible Journalism
Justice Desai said the PCI carries a dual mandate of safeguarding press freedom while raising journalistic standards. She underscored the need for honesty, accuracy and verified information, especially during a rise in misinformation and technology-enabled manipulation. She noted that PCI has deployed fact-finding teams and committees and urged journalists to verify facts before publication.
She also highlighted the importance of financial security for journalists through welfare schemes and insurance, pointing to PCI’s internship programmes that familiarise young reporters with ethical practices. While acknowledging AI’s utility, she reiterated that it cannot replace human judgement or conscience.
Upholding Credibility in the AI Era
PTI CEO Vijay Joshi stressed that the press must remain a moral watchdog of democracy. He warned that paid news, advertorials and sensationalism have eroded trust over time, while digital media has increasingly prioritised engagement metrics over accuracy. He noted that the pandemic demonstrated how quickly truth and misinformation can blend—an issue amplified by AI today.
Joshi highlighted PTI’s legacy of fairness, accuracy and independence since its founding by 99 newspapers. He said accuracy must always take precedence over speed and that stories must remain agenda-free. He pointed to PTI’s Fact Check initiatives and multi-layer verification processes, adding that training young journalists in critical thinking and ethics is essential to preserve credibility. Press freedom, he said, cannot become a licence to pollute the information ecosystem.
About the Press Council of India
The Press Council of India, established in 1966 and reconstituted in 1979, serves as a quasi-judicial, self-regulatory body for the print media. It works to protect press freedom, uphold standards of responsible journalism and advise the legislature and other authorities on matters concerning the press.
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