Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has called for social media platforms to compensate news organizations for content shared and consumed on their platforms. Speaking on the occasion of National Press Day, the minister emphasized the need for such payments to be made legally and transparently.
Highlighting the changing trends in news consumption, Vaishnaw pointed out that audiences increasingly rely on social media platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, rather than traditional newspapers and TV channels. This shift, he noted, has adversely impacted news organizations, which invest heavily in news gathering, journalist training, salaries, and content dissemination.
The minister also expressed concerns over the spread of fake news and misinformation on social media, which he said have, in some instances, led to unrest and disrupted societal harmony. He criticized the lack of accountability among social media companies for such content and stressed the need for platforms to shoulder responsibility, akin to traditional media outlets.
Vaishnaw raised questions about social media algorithms promoting content that significantly influences user behavior, urging a dialogue on their ethical implications. He further highlighted the importance of ensuring that traditional news organizations are not financially disadvantaged in the digital era.