In Mumbai on October 7, Aroon Purie, the chairman and editor‑in‑chief of the India Today Group, spoke at the 25th‑year celebration of FICCI FRAMES 2025. He warned that journalism can’t let technology dictate its future.
Purie said digital giants such as Google, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter have become the new “editors‑in‑chief.” The platforms don’t craft stories, but they control how news spreads and how advertisers pay for it. “If I publish a false claim, I can be sued,” Purie explained. “But the platforms aren’t treated the same way.”
He highlighted how these gatekeepers now own roughly 70 % of all media revenue. Digital advertising alone accounts for 55 % of total ad money—surpassing traditional TV and print. The algorithm behind every click rewards speed, shock value and virality, not depth or accuracy. “Our newsrooms feel the pressure to hire SEO experts instead of reporters,” Purie said.
Artificial intelligence is adding another layer of disruption. Many media organisations are turning to AI tools to speed up content creation, but Purie cautions that this threatens the credibility of reporting. “It’s an existential threat to trustworthy journalism,” he warned.
Instead of fighting disruption, Purie urged media firms to innovate their business models. He championed the idea that subscriptions are more than a dollar—they signal what kind of news readers want. “Disruption is the new normal. The real test is whether we’re bold enough to embrace change,” he said.
For Purie, the core of journalism lies in telling true stories that strengthen India’s democracy. “We’re storytellers. Humanity survives on the stories we share,” he added.
The India Today Group’s chairman called for a future where credible reporting is not only viable but essential, urging media to keep up with the new algorithm and technology while staying rooted in truth. ()
Source: aninews
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