What to Read in The Hindu Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1: Theft and compensation

Context

The unfair exploitation of news media by AI firms and calls for regulation, consent, and compensation to protect journalistic integrity and economic rights in the AI era.

Introduction

In the era of artificial intelligence, powerful language models are increasingly trained on news content produced by veteran journalists and media organisations. This unregulated use of curated, professional material threatens the economic survival and intellectual rights of the news industry. As AI-driven automation accelerates, the need to protect journalistic integrity and compensation mechanisms becomes urgent and unavoidable.

AI and the Exploitation of News Content

Core Argument:

• Large language models (LLMs) rely heavily on Internet content, particularly news reportscreated by professional journalists and media houses with decades of experience.
• The unregulated use of this contentby AI systems raises significant ethical, legal, and commercial concerns.

Creative Industry vs. AI Appropriation

• Creative Labour at Risk:
  • AI models, powered by GPUs, can generate human-like art and text within seconds.
  • This represents a diffusion of skilled labourinto unaccountable algorithmic outputs.
  • Especially threatening to industries like journalism, visual arts, and publishing.
• A Heist of Lifetimes:
  • Unconsented training on news corpuses is seen as an existential threat.
  • It undermines the labour, integrity, and originalityof professional content creators.

Historical Context: Digital Displacement of News Media

Phase	Transformation	Impact on News Media
Early Digitisation	Web-based content replaced print & broadcast	Loss of captive audiences
Rise of Big Tech	Platforms like Google & Facebook thrived using news	Media often under-compensated
Attention Economy	Clicks > Credibility	Shifted user habits away from news sites

Present Challenge: AI as a New Blow

• Weakening of Business Models:
  • Decline in public trustand news monetisation
  • Reluctance to pay for newsis further amplified by AI-generated summaries.
• AI Overviews Undermine Original Sources:
  • AI-generated digests often reduce original journalism to footnotes.
  • This erodes both recognitionand revenue for publishers.

The Myth of Fair Use in AI Training

• Fallacy of “Fair Use”:
  • AI firms claim scraping web content is “fair use”for model training.
  • However, this bypasses creators’ rights— morally and legally questionable.
• Need for Consent & Compensation:
  • Publishers deserve control over who can access their content.
  • Compensation must be negotiated upfront, not after value has been extracted.

Institutional Response: Policy as a Shield

• Positive Step:
  • The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade’s (DPIIT) committeeon Copyright and AI is a timely intervention.
  • Aims to safeguard publishers’ rightsand shape fair regulatory mechanisms.

Not a “Decel” Demand — But a Call for Fair Play

• Not Anti-Technology:
  • The demand is not to halt AI progress, but to ensure equitable treatmentfor news creators.
  • The news industry has previously seen tech platforms profitfrom their content with little return.
• Shrinking Revenue Avenues:
  • Social media platforms have become video-focused walled gardens.
  • Traffic and monetisation opportunities for news media are diminishing rapidly.

Way Forward

• News Publishers Must Act:
  • Advocate for copyright enforcement, licensing models, and transparent AI training disclosures.
• Policy & Regulation Must Ensure:
  • AI firms do not freely monetise public contentwithout responsibility.
  • A new framework for data ethics, ownership, and attribution.

Conclusion

The unchecked appropriation of news content by AI firms must not be framed as mere technological progress. Without consent, compensation, and regulation, such practices risk dismantling decades of institutional media credibility. To ensure a fair AI ecosystem, publishers, policymakers, and technology leaders must collaborate to defend the rights, revenues, and recognition of content creators in the AI age.

 

Editorial 2: Steering the Indian economy amidst global troubles

Context

The industry needs to rethink its strategies due to rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and unequal access to information.

Introduction

The global economy is going through a major change, driven by shifting trade policies and ongoing geopolitical tensions. There is a rise in trade wars, countries are revising tariffs, and more bilateral trade deals are being discussed. These changes have created greater uncertainty, affecting not only international trade but also financial markets and the overall economic growth outlook.

India’s Export Strategy Amid Evolving Global Trade Dynamics

• With global trade dynamicschanging quickly, there could be a structural shift in world trade, affecting trade and investments in the long run.
• Businessesneed to balance short-term challenges with long-term opportunities.
• The industrymust rethink its strategy due to:
  • Rising costs
  • Broken supply chains
  • Uneven access to information
• The United Statesis India’s largest export market, accounting for almost 20% of India’s merchandise exports.
• Because of this, any uncertainty in U.S. tariff policieshas a big impact on Indian exporters.
• India relies heavilyon the U.S. market for sectors like:
  • Marine products
  • Apparel
  • Carpets
  • Gems and jewellery
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Auto components
  • Electronics
• Any extra tariffsfrom the U.S. would:
  • Cut into profit margins
  • Especially hurt Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
  • Make exports unviablein highly dependent sectors

Possible issues

Aspect	Details
Uncertainty of U.S. Tariffs	The U.S.’s decision to impose reciprocal tariffs remains uncertain due to ongoing trade negotiationswith several countries, including India, and a U.S. court ruling that questions the legality of these tariffs.
Tariff Advantage for India	It is unclear whether Indian exporters will gain any tariff advantage over countries like China, Bangladesh, or Vietnam, which was earlier seen as likely when the tariffs were first announced.
Economic Impact on India	Experts believe that even if the tariffs are imposed, the direct impact on India’s economy will be limitedbecause of: – Strong services exports – High remittances – Healthy forex reserves – Low current account deficit
Effect on Exporters	The uncertainty is harming Indian exporters, especially in planning new orders and making business decisions.
Dumping Risk	There is a rising risk of increased dumping into India by China and ASEAN countries, as they may try to offload surplus production into the Indian market.

Medium- to long-term opportunity

• India can gain from global trade shifts
  • Despite global challenges, India has a real chance to become akey part of global supply chains if the right strategy is followed.
  • A three-pronged strategyis needed:
    • Manage external shocks(like tariff changes or supply disruptions)
    • Build domestic economic resilience
    • Use the global windowto boost India’s exports

1. Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the U.S.
   • India has taken a proactive stepby starting early negotiations.
   • A first-mover advantagecan be gained if India concludes the deal ahead of others.
   • The agreement should:
     • Ensure zero tariffsfor key sectors
     • Cautiously open upsensitive areas
     • Protect India’s national priorities
   • Service exportsto the U.S. must be protected.
   • Tariff liberalisation must be done on a strictly bilateral
   • Addressing non-tariff barriers (NTBs)is crucial.
   • Mutual recognition agreementsshould be explored.
   • The goal is a quick but balancedtrade deal.
2. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with other partners
   • The FTA with the K.is a positive step.
   • India should also actively pursue:
     • FTA with the European Union
     • Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreementwith Australia
     • FTAs with other strategic partners
   • These deals will give Indian exportersbetter access to alternative markets.
3. Tackle the risk of dumping into India
   • Strengthen import monitoring systemsto deal with excess foreign goods entering Indian markets.
   • Use trade remedial measuresquickly to protect Indian industries from harm.
4. Continue public capital spending
   • Maintain public infrastructure investmentto keep the economy growing despite external shocks.
   • This will also help attract private investmentsover the medium term.
5. Keep monetary policy supportive
   • With inflation under control, the RBIshould continue an accommodative policy
   • Lower interest ratesin the future could help boost economic growth.
6. Attract foreign investments
   • Focus on drawing global companieslooking to move supply chains out of China, Vietnam, etc.
   • Use a targeted approachto encourage them to set up operations in India.

Conclusion

India must quickly move forward with the next-generation reforms and regulatory changes suggested in the last two Union Budgets. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes should be expanded to cover more promising areas like hearables and wearables, IoT devices, and battery raw materials. These steps will help increase manufacturing, draw more investment into key sectors, and boost self-reliance. Even though global uncertainties bring many challenges, they also create a chance for India to become a major manufacturing hub and a strong part of global supply chains. With the help of smart trade deals and structural reforms, India can handle the crisis and come out stronger. The industry must rethink its strategies due to rising costs, broken supply chains, and uneven access to information.