Innovation is our ally, truth our guiding star: Vineet Jain, The Times Group

exchange4media's NEWSNEXT SUMMIT is an annual symposium of News TV leaders, global media experts, advertisers, brand marketers and academicians. These luminaries come together to discuss the future of TV news in light of the sweeping changes we see in the industry today.

It is a forum for the industry to look inward and discuss solutions to some of the issues facing TV news. We were joined today by Vineet Jain, the Managing Director of The Times Group, who addressed the audience through an audio-visual since he couldn't be physically present at the event.

In his speech, he spoke about the past two decades of TV news, the paradigm shift brought about by the internet and the inevitable advent of artificial intelligence.
Here is the full transcript of his address: 

.@vineetjaintimes, Managing Director, #TheTimesGroup, presenting the Big Picture of News Media, at #e4mNewsNext 2023.

Watch Live : https://t.co/2WmJbljsQY#mediasummit #tvnews #media #broadcast #journalism pic.twitter.com/oYTr6cJI9r

— exchange4media group (@e4mtweets) August 27, 2023

I extend my best wishes to exchange4media’s NEWSNEXT Summit for a successful event. The discussions throughout the day hold the promise of unveiling insights into the swiftly evolving challenges in our industry—both within newsrooms and on the business front. While I'm disappointed that I cannot be there in person today, I eagerly await a summary of the valuable suggestions. I am enthusiastic about engaging with many of you in the coming days. 

Let's journey back a century. News was ink on paper, the printed word delivering stories to our doorstep. Newspapers were our guides, shaping opinions and narratives. Then, a revolution unfolded—the age of television. News went live, captivating households with moving images and charismatic anchors. The world watched history unfold before its eyes. 

Over the past two decades, TV News has served as a significant reference point in the digital evolution. The emergence of multi-platform dynamics and social distribution marked pivotal shifts. But, the core approach persisted, with news services publishing broadly the same content to the same audience on different platforms. 

But progress is relentless. The internet democratized information. Websites, blogs, and social media transformed everyone into potential journalists. News became accessible 24/7, no longer confined by printing schedules or airtime. The way we consumed TV content, also underwent a seismic shift – from the family television screen to the personal mobile screen. Consumers are paying attention to content creators of all kinds who speak to them in a voice which resonates on a platform they use. You can see a completely different service on a mobile phone, to the one you see on TV.  TV on the go, cord-cutting, and live TV streaming on OTT platforms became the new norms, reshaping our interaction with television. 

The digital revolution also opened a new chapter. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram rapidly disseminated stories, while YouTube transformed individuals into broadcasters. Mobile and internet growth intertwined news with our daily lives, reshaping engagement. 

Then, a new force emerged—Artificial Intelligence-- which has now captured everyone's imagination. It is not about replacing tradition, but about amplifying it. Imagine a world where news is tailored precisely to your interests, where data transforms into insightful stories. AI fact-checks at lightning speed, guarding truth. Language barriers crumble, allowing news to seamlessly transcend linguistic diversity, an essential transformation for a country like India with its multitude of languages and cultures. 

AI isn't only aiding journalists; it's also transforming content formats. Text and images are morphing into videos, audio, and beyond. AI even ushers in virtual anchors. 

Visualize a newsroom where AI-generated visuals enhance storytelling, freeing journalists to delve deeper. Chatbots engage with you directly, answering questions in real time. And ethical considerations? They guide us, ensuring algorithms remain unbiased and content trustworthy. 

As someone who has weathered all of these shifts for 35 years, I've seen the industry evolve from print to TV to digital --and now to the frontier of AI. 

As Chief Content Architect of The Times Group, I've been driven by a core belief in democratizing media and making news accessible to younger and mass audiences using cutting-edge tools. In this pursuit, prescriptive journalism stands out—a call not just to highlight issues but to offer solutions as well.  

Today's digital news platforms face the challenge of immersing consumers in solutions while upholding ethical standards. This commitment rests on a foundation of accurate, unbiased information and the integrity to uphold credibility.  

I firmly believe that our editorial teams are the best self-regulators, safeguarding our hard-fought freedoms against external threats. As we venture into the realms of broadcasting, digital tech, and AI, these principles must remain at the heart of our endeavors.  

Today, we stand on the threshold of a new chapter—where innovation is our ally, and truth our guiding star. In this narrative, remember that the essence of news endures. We adapt, but our purpose remains unaltered: To inform, inspire, and empower. 

So, as we navigate this exciting path, let us embrace the legacy of the past and the promise of the future --united by the enduring pursuit of knowledge.

Thank You and best wishes again for an incisive and insightful event