In era of AI, deepfake, credibility crisis looms largest: Scindia on challenges for journalism

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia addressed a two-day seminar in Bhopal on May 30, 2026, commemorating the 200th anniversary of India’s first Hindi newspaper, *Udanta Martand*, published in 1826. Hosted by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the Madhavrao Sapre Memorial Newspaper Museum, the event featured Scindia as chief guest, where he released a commemorative stamp and volume. Scindia contrasted colonial-era journalism challenges—censorship and scarce resources—with today’s crisis of credibility, driven by AI and deepfake technology. He warned that fake narratives and manipulated videos have eroded trust, forcing journalists to verify truth between traditional media and digital information systems. ‘What one saw with their eyes was truth then, but now truth must be found between newspapers and AI-driven platforms,’ he stated. The minister also underscored journalism’s role beyond data, emphasizing its duty to preserve human conscience and foster deeper analysis. He urged leveraging technology not just for engagement but to enhance readers’ intellectual capacity, calling for a balance between reportage and thoughtful commentary. Scindia shared his family’s historical ties to journalism, noting his great-grandfather’s newspaper *Jayaji Pratap* and his daughter-in-law’s *Swadesh*, both published in Gwalior. He announced plans to convert the family’s old printing press into an industrial museum, preserving the legacy of early Hindi journalism. The seminar, running until May 31, aims to reflect on journalism’s evolution while addressing modern threats like misinformation. Scindia’s remarks highlighted the need for ethical journalism to counter AI-driven disinformation, ensuring public trust in an era of digital manipulation.