Publishers to AI companies: Journalism is not a free-floating internet input

Journalism is not “free-floating internet input” for AI models to consume and is an essential “democratic infrastructure” that requires protection and payment, India’s top media leaders declared in a powerful appeal to tech giants during a panel discussion on “AI and Media: Opportunities, Responsible Pathways, and the Road Ahead” convened by Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026, organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).The conversation was about whether journalism must be treated differently from other content in AI systems. “Journalism is not a free-floating internet input but intellectual property created through investment, editorial oversight and accountability. When AI begins to commoditise information, trust becomes scarce—and that scarcity creates value,” said Mohit Jain, COO and executive director, Bennett Coleman & Company Limited.The panel features heads from The Times of India, the India Today Group, Dainik Bhaskar, The Hindu, and Amar Ujala, argued that news carries a weight that standard internet data does not. The discussion emphasised that since news influences elections, markets and social stability, it cannot be treated as mere "fodder" for AI training.A major concern raised during the summit was how AI summaries – like AI overviews in Google Search and those provided by AI chatbots are hurting the news business. By providing a quick AI-generated answer, these tools stop users from clicking through to the original news website, which in turn decreases the traffic on news publishers’ website.Robert Whitehead of the International News Media Association (INMA) warned that if journalism provides the “truth” that makes AI systems accurate, there must be a fair way to pay for that value. “AI-driven summaries in search environments are already diverting traffic away from publisher websites in several markets, weakening revenue models that sustain credible reporting. If journalism funds the accuracy of AI systems, there must be fair recognition and remuneration for that value,” said Whitehead.The publishers pointed to global laws that are already forcing big tech companies to pay for news. For example, Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code has led to deals between AI companies and publishers. Similarly, in Europe, the EU AI Act requires clear labeling of AI content, while France and Germany have laws forcing platforms to negotiate for content use.The session concluded with an understanding that AI presents both opportunity and responsibility in safeguarding journalism as a trusted public good.