DNPA Conclave 2026: AI, policy shifts and platform changes reshape the future of digital journalism | India News

Rapid shifts in artificial intelligence and digital ecosystems are fundamentally reshaping how news is created, distributed, discovered and monetized, Mariam Mammen Mathew, president of the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) and CEO of Manorama Online, announced at the DNPA Conclave on Thursday.Speaking at the 3rd annual Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave 2025 on the theme “Transforming Media in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, Mathew said the industry is at a critical juncture as artificial intelligence, evolving data governance norms, changing platform economics and changing audience behavior redefine digital journalism.As India prepares to implement a forward-looking regulatory framework for AI, she said conversations between policymakers and industry leaders are both timely and important.Matthew said the DNPA has been working hard to ensure that the voice of credible digital publishers remains at the heart of this transformation. The association has engaged with government on key policy advice, including a digital personal data protection framework, discussions on generating artificial intelligence, copyright and wider regulatory developments affecting digital journalism.“Strong AI requires strong, trustworthy journalism,” she said, emphasizing the need to root technological advances in trust and editorial integrity.Internally, she noted, DNPA has increased collaboration among members, focusing on traffic growth, sustainable monetization models, newsroom adoption of AI tools, and collective innovation opportunities. Through working groups, policy dialogue and knowledge exchange, the association aims to ensure that no publisher can cope with the ongoing disruption alone.Matthew emphasized that trust remains a core principle of industry-wide transformation. She said DNPA brings together policymakers, technology leaders, industry partners and publishers to not only discuss challenges but co-create solutions. Key focuses include establishing sustainable monetization in the AI-mediated ecosystem, protecting intellectual property while enabling innovation, and reducing platform dependence to enhance traffic resiliency.The Digital News Publishers Association represents 21 prominent digital news publishers in India. The agency advocates on behalf of its members in collaboration with agencies such as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, while promoting best practices and collaboration across the industry.