The monopolistic dominance of ad-tech giants like Google and Facebook has become a growing concern for governments worldwide, including India. During the Digital News Publishers Association of India (DNPA) Conclave and Awards 2024, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, expressed apprehension over the revenue-sharing model between digital news publishers and Big Tech, emphasizing that it heavily favors the latter and poses challenges for the government.
Chandrasekhar acknowledged India’s remarkable transformation in the digital and tech space, highlighting the country’s evolution from being perceived as a hub for cost-effective back offices to becoming a significant partner in shaping the future. However, he raised concerns about the imbalance between content creators and platforms responsible for monetizing their content. In his view, a few major tech companies control the monetization gateways, creating asymmetries that need to be addressed through legislation or regulation.
The minister referenced the pre-consultation draft of the Digital India Act as a step towards rectifying these imbalances. He emphasized the importance of ensuring fair revenue sharing between big tech companies and content creators, indicating that the government aims to legislate or regulate this aspect in the future. Chandrasekhar expressed optimism that addressing these concerns would be a priority for the government, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assumed third term.
Joining the discussion, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur echoed Chandrasekhar’s sentiments, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing digital advertising issues. Thakur highlighted the need to prevent revenue loss and combat challenges such as fake news, paid news, and clickbait content, which can undermine the credibility of the news media.
S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY), delved into the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and underscored the necessity of updating laws to address new challenges. He emphasized the importance of categorizing internet intermediaries and implementing different regulatory regimes for them to ensure accountability and transparency in the digital ecosystem.
The DNPA, representing India’s top 18 publishers from both print and electronic media, serves as a significant industry group advocating for the interests of digital news publishers. The discussions at the DNPA Conclave shed light on the pressing issues facing the digital news publishing landscape in India and the government’s efforts to address them through legislative and regulatory measures.
In recent years, concerns about the dominance of tech giants in various sectors, including advertising and digital publishing, have garnered attention globally. These companies wield significant influence over online platforms and advertising revenue, raising questions about competition, data privacy, and the concentration of power. Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly scrutinizing their practices and exploring ways to promote fair competition and protect consumer interests.
In India, where the digital ecosystem is rapidly evolving, policymakers are grappling with the complex challenges posed by the growing influence of Big Tech. By engaging in discussions with industry stakeholders and proposing legislative frameworks like the Digital India Act, the government aims to create a level playing field and foster a more equitable digital environment for content creators, publishers, and consumers alike.