DNPA Conclave 2026 in New Delhi to address AI governance, misinformation, platform accountability, and the future of digital news in India.
India is preparing to host one of its most influential media-policy gatherings as the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) Conclave 2026 takes place on 26 February in New Delhi.
At a moment when digital news ecosystems worldwide are being reshaped by artificial intelligence, algorithmic distribution, and growing concerns over misinformation, the annual conclave has gained heightened global significance. Organisers say it aims to define how India will balance technological opportunity with institutional safeguards for a rapidly expanding digital audience.
More than 400 attendees — including editors, senior journalists, CEOs of media houses, global tech executives, policy think-tanks, regulators, and international delegates — are expected to participate.
With India projected to cross 900 million digital news consumers by 2030, the conclave positions the country at the center of global debates on information integrity, AI governance, and the economics of digital media. DNPA officials call the event “a blueprint-setting moment” for India’s next decade of news innovation and regulation.
Artificial Intelligence is expected to dominate this year’s agenda, with sessions examining how AI-generated content, automated reporting tools, and algorithmic news feeds are reshaping public communication.
Global studies cited by the DNPA estimate that 12–15% of online news summaries consumed globally now involve AI-assisted generation, raising questions about oversight, accuracy, and editorial transparency.
DNPA President Sanjay Gupta emphasised that the conclave aims to craft:
“A responsible AI framework designed for Indian newsrooms, not imported models.”
Industry leaders will discuss how AI tools — from deepfake detection engines to automated research assistants — can strengthen newsrooms rather than weaken them.
Representatives from Google, Meta, DailyHunt, and InShorts will present their newest AI verification technologies.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) are expected to share early details of India’s upcoming AI Governance Charter, including proposed transparency requirements for AI-generated media and algorithmic content ranking.
International institutions such as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Japan’s public service media will showcase global case studies that India may integrate into its policy roadmap.
Experts say this collaborative approach could help India position itself as a leader in emerging global norms surrounding AI in journalism.
With misinformation rising sharply, the DNPA Conclave will turn its attention to rebuilding digital news credibility.
India saw over 3,800 documented misinformation incidents in 2025, a 23% annual increase, according to fact-checking organisations.
Editors and policy experts will debate components of a proposed Digital News Accuracy Code, a self-regulatory model meant to ensure editorial accountability while safeguarding press independence.
MeitY officials are also expected to brief publishers on the evolving Digital India Media Standards (DIMS) Framework, which may include obligations for platforms to reveal why certain news is promoted or suppressed in algorithmic feeds.
Sources say the draft framework suggests:
A senior official stated:
“Public trust will depend on traceability — people want to know how and why they see the content they do.”
In parallel, Indian publishers are expected to revive demands for a fair revenue-sharing mechanism with big-tech intermediaries.
DNPA’s internal estimates indicate that news publishers lose nearly ₹2,000 crore annually due to platform-dominated digital advertising markets.
Citing global precedents such as Australia’s News Bargaining Code, the association will push for commercial negotiations ensuring that Indian journalism receives equitable value for its content.
For the first time, DNPA will host an Innovation Showcase Zone, featuring AI-powered newsroom tools, multilingual research systems, and automated verification engines.
Start-ups such as DeepCheck Labs, PrasarTech, and VeritasAI will demonstrate technologies tailored to Indian languages and regional newsrooms, addressing the unique challenge of serving a multilingual population of over 1.4 billion people.
A key theme will be the rise of membership-driven journalism, where audiences directly fund premium reporting.
Industry analysts project India’s digital subscription market to grow to ₹9,500 crore by 2029, driven by metro audiences seeking ad-free, in-depth content.
Editors from The Hindu, Hindustan Times, and regional publishing groups will share case studies about hybrid subscription models and audience engagement strategies.
Sessions will also explore AI integration in investigative journalism, where automated data-mining tools can analyse millions of financial records, procurement documents, and court filings within minutes.
The DNPA has partnered with IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore to develop training modules blending traditional editorial rigour with computational research techniques, helping Indian journalists adapt to technologically complex investigations.
Delegations from 14 countries — including the US, UK, France, South Korea, UAE, Singapore, and Japan — will participate, underscoring India’s growing international influence.
The conclave will discuss cross-border cooperation on:
Keynote speaker Dr. Amanda Cross, a U.S. policy scholar and advisor to multiple global media councils, remarked:
“India’s media ecosystem — with its scale, linguistic diversity and democratic framework — will significantly shape global AI governance norms. The world is watching how India chooses to regulate AI in news.”
Bilateral discussions between India and the UAE are expected to result in a cooperation framework on media-tech research, focusing on AI literacy, youth engagement, and joint model-testing environments for news verification.
DNPA leaders say this move signals India’s ambition to help set global rules rather than simply adopt existing ones.
As newsrooms worldwide navigate rapid transformation, the DNPA Conclave 2026 is widely viewed as a milestone for India’s media future.
With digital news consumption expected to increase exponentially, industry experts say India must now:
One anticipated outcome is the release of the New Delhi Principles for Responsible AI in News, a voluntary blueprint co-developed by publishers, regulators, and technology partners.
DNPA Secretary-General Anita Varma said the principles will offer:
“A foundation for India’s next decade of innovation — balancing technology with human editorial judgment.”
The conclave’s long-term impact will be measured in how India’s news industry transitions:
Mirza Ali Danyal, co-founder of **Startup Times**, brings energy, vision, and a wealth of experience to the world of media. With a Master's degree and a deep understanding of the industry, Danyal leads his team in crafting authentic, dynamic content that empowers startups. His innovative leadership drives the agency’s success, inspiring creativity and growth at every turn.
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