Sports
Kalli Purie unveils 9-point AI charter for news media at summit
India Today chief calls for fair value, transparency and reciprocity as industry leaders back framework.
NEW DELHI: When algorithms start writing the news, who gets the byline and the bill? At the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Monday, India Today Group vice-chairperson and executive editor-in-chief Kalli Purie served up a sharp reality check with a nine-point charter aimed at keeping journalism human even as artificial intelligence races ahead.
Speaking during a Digital News Publishers Association session titled “AI and Media, Opportunities, Responsible Pathways, and the Road Ahead” at Bharat Mandapam, Purie warned that without guardrails, AI could turn trusted reporting into free fuel for large language models, quietly eroding public discourse in the process.
“Fair value for journalistic content is non-negotiable. We need transparency in how AI systems digest and metabolise news,” she declared, laying out a framework that puts credible journalism back at the centre of the conversation.
Her nine-point charter calls for:
- Fair value and transparency on how news is used by AI
2. Traceability and attribution as a democratic principle
3. Recognition of journalism as a public good
4. Rewarding stories that deliver real social impact
5. Proper valuation of verified content from credible institutions
6. Severe penalties for AI hallucinations
7. Ending the reward-punishment asymmetry between legacy media and social platforms
8. Treating citizens’ attention as a rare, finite resource
9. Reciprocity from the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants, if they harvest attention and content, what are they giving back?
Purie was quick to clarify that the India Today Group isn’t anti-tech. The organisation has been using AI for over two-and-a-half years AI anchors, voice cloning, AI-driven storytelling but always with what she calls the “AI sandwich”, human intent at the start, AI as a helpful middle layer, and a human editor making the final call.
“We love technology,” she said. “But accountability for AI must have a human name attached to it. We don’t want to become one biscuit in an AI cookie-cutter world. We want to tell our stories, not AI stories.”
She also took aim at what she termed “digital imperialism”, pointing out that global platforms often treat Indian media differently from their Western counterparts. “Indian reporters go to the ground, invest resources and take risks to bring original stories. Influencers and AI summaries should not eat out on that labour for free,” she argued, pushing for paid licensing of original journalism.
The session drew heads of major Indian media houses The Hindu, Times of India, Amar Ujala, Dainik Bhaskar and the charter quickly found broad support. Panellists agreed on the need for structured talks between publishers and tech platforms, stressing reciprocity, attribution and commercial fairness. A recurring worry, if AI summaries keep siphoning traffic, how do credible newsrooms keep the lights on?
The room reached a shared conclusion, AI offers huge potential for media, but only if paired with real responsibility. As Purie put it, “If journalism is hollowed out now, the cost of decolonising later will be far higher.”
With industry leaders already pledging to shape the framework formally, Monday’s session may prove a turning point, one where news stays news, not just another data point for the machines.
Sports
JK Lakshmi Cement named principal sponsor of Rajasthan Royals
Cement maker’s logo to feature on team jersey for the 2026 T20 season.
MUMBAI: When cricket meets concrete, the partnership is built to last. JK Lakshmi Cement Limited has signed on as the principal sponsor of Rajasthan Royals for the 2026 T20 season, marking a renewed collaboration between two organisations that share deep roots in Rajasthan. Under the agreement, the JK Lakshmi Cement logo will appear prominently on the back of the Rajasthan Royals’ match jersey throughout the season. The brand will also feature across team gear, in stadium signage and digital match day content, giving it strong visibility during one of India’s most watched sporting tournaments.
For JK Lakshmi Cement, the partnership reflects a long standing association with the state. The company has maintained a significant presence in Rajasthan for decades through its manufacturing facilities, distribution network and relationships with contractors, dealers and local communities.
JK Lakshmi Cement, deputy managing director Shrivats Singhania, at said the collaboration celebrates the shared heritage of both organisations. “Rajasthan has always been integral to our journey, shaping our identity and growth from our factories and logistics to the people and businesses that inspire us every day. This partnership with Rajasthan Royals deepens that connection, celebrating the shared values of entrepreneurship, performance and enduring commitment,” he said.
He added that the national reach of the T20 league offers an opportunity to showcase Rajasthan’s spirit on a larger stage.
Cricket continues to be one of India’s most powerful cultural connectors, drawing fans across regions and generations. JK Lakshmi Cement sees the association as a way to strengthen engagement with stakeholders ranging from homeowners and contractors to engineers, masons and dealers.
JK Lakshmi Cement president and director Arun Shukla noted that the journey of the brand and the team share striking similarities. “The journey of Rajasthan Royals is similar to ours strong roots in Rajasthan and a growing presence across the country. This partnership is also about honouring the people who work hard every day to build India, irrespective of the state they reside in,” he said.
He added that the association will help bring the brand closer to audiences, from individual homes in smaller towns to large infrastructure projects in major cities, while connecting them to the energy of the T20 season.
From the team’s perspective, the partnership strengthens its ties with homegrown brands.
Rajasthan Royals chief operating officer Alok Chitre said the team was pleased to welcome JK Lakshmi Cement as its principal sponsor. “We are happy to have JK Lakshmi Cement as our principal sponsor for the Rajasthan Royals 2026 season. It means a lot that a brand from Rajasthan is on the back of the Royals jersey. JK Lakshmi Cement is a natural partner because it has a strong presence in the state and beyond,” he said.
As India’s infrastructure and construction sectors continue to grow, JK Lakshmi Cement has been focusing on operational strength, innovation and long term expansion. Strategic collaborations such as this allow the brand to connect with wider audiences while reinforcing its presence in markets where it has long operated.
For Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, the deal adds another regional ally to its roster proving that sometimes, the strongest partnerships are the ones built close to home.
