AI Threatens Credible Journalism: Aroon Purie Warns at FICCI Frames 2025

India Today Group Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie has sounded a serious warning about the dangers that Artificial Intelligence (AI) poses to journalism. Speaking at FICCI Frames 2025, Purie described AI as an “existential threat to the creation of credible news”, arguing that the unchecked rise of automated content generation is eroding both public trust and the financial backbone of independent media.

In his keynote address titled “Resilience and Reinvention of News in the Digital Era,” Purie reflected on his five-decade journey in media and how every wave of disruption—from print to broadcast to digital—has redefined the business of journalism. However, he noted that AI represents a different kind of challenge: one that threatens to replace human creativity, authenticity, and accountability.

“AI can summarise, replicate, and monetise journalism without paying for it. It’s a revolution that undermines the creators while rewarding the aggregators,” Purie said.

The Broken Economics of News

Purie highlighted how the traditional advertising-driven model of journalism has long been unsustainable. With the dominance of tech giants like Google, Meta, and YouTube controlling distribution and ad revenues, he said media houses are left with “crumbs.”

He called attention to what he termed the “raddi economics” of print—where readers pay less than the real value of news—and the “algorithmic dominance” of digital media that prioritises virality over veracity.

“The old master was the advertiser. The new master is the algorithm,” he quipped, describing how newsrooms have been forced to chase trends rather than truth.

Billionaire-Owned Media and the Threat to Independence

The veteran media leader also warned of the growing influence of corporate-owned and billionaire-funded news outlets. According to him, such ownership patterns distort public perception and undermine the credibility of journalism as a democratic institution.

“For some, news is not a business—it’s a tool for influence. That erodes the trust that journalism depends on,” he said.

AI: The New Frontier of Disruption

Purie cautioned that while AI tools like summarizers and chatbots appear useful, they pose a deeper structural risk. By scraping and synthesising original reporting without compensation, AI platforms weaken the incentive for real journalism.

He argued that this “content cannibalisation” not only deprives journalists of revenue but also floods the public sphere with unverified, decontextualised information.

“This is an existential threat to the very creation of credible information,” he emphasised.

A Call for Reinvention

Despite the bleak outlook, Purie urged the media industry to embrace innovation without compromising on integrity. He encouraged news organisations to explore subscription-based models and to rebuild direct relationships with their audiences.

“A subscription is not just a transaction; it’s a vote for the kind of media you want to exist,” he said.

Concluding his address, Purie reminded media professionals that disruption is not the enemy—it’s the new normal. He urged them to harness technology to tell stories that are more impactful and truthful, warning that in a “post-truth era, telling the truth matters more than ever.”

About Aroon Purie

Aroon Purie is the Founding Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the India Today Group, one of India’s largest and most influential media conglomerates. With over 50 years in journalism, he has overseen the evolution of Indian media across print, television, and digital platforms.