Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on February 26 underlined that digital platforms using news content must share revenue with media organisations, noting that several countries had enacted laws to enforce such sharing after voluntary compliance failed.
Addressing the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) conclave, Vaishnaw recalled that the government had earlier urged digital platforms to share revenues generated from news content. This time, he said, the Centre’s message carried an implicit warning that legal measures could follow if voluntary arrangements were not put in place.
Vaishnaw said society’s progress rested on original content and intellectual property, and warned that the lack of fair recognition and compensation could harm vital fields such as literature and science, ultimately impeding human advancement.
The demand for equitable revenue sharing has long been raised by industry bodies, including the Indian Newspaper Society (INS). Major digital platforms generate significant advertising revenue through news links and summaries, while media organisations that produce the content receive little share of the proceeds.
Vaishnaw cited the example of Australia, where internet companies are legally required to compensate media outlets for using news content. He noted that although digital platforms initially opposed the legislation and even threatened to withdraw services, they eventually agreed to comply after the Australian government signalled it would pursue alternative regulatory measures. It now remains to be seen whether India will move towards a similar statutory framework to ensure fair compensation for news publishers.
