- Chief Justice of India-designate Justice Surya Kant spoke on the risks associated with emerging technologies
- He pointed out how artificial intelligence tools are used to target women journalists
Chief Justice of India-designate Justice Surya Kant said that emerging technologies have thrown up new challenges, including the misuse of artificial intelligence tools to target women journalists.
Speaking at the 31st anniversary of the Indian Women's Press Corps on Saturday, Justice Kant said AI tools are increasingly being used to spread false or malicious narratives that cause reputational harm, loss of credibility, and social isolation.
He asserted that such manipulated content then continues to remain online forever, prolonging the damage. "As a responsible democracy, we cannot afford to normalize or tolerate such happenings as an inevitable consequence of online discourse," he said.
While appreciating the positive role of AI in improving the efficiency of the newsroom, especially on research, data analysis, and fact-checking, Justice Surya warned that its unregulated usage carries a number of risks to privacy, dignity, and safety. He added that deep fakes and doctored images increase the risks.
He said that women journalists become more target victims wherein offenders utilize private information, create sham content, and perpetrate unending online harassment.
He further said that such acts are intended to intimidate and disrepute women journalists rather than engage in their work or any different view. Digital abuse, he added, heralds an end to freedom of the press as it discourages different viewpoints and open debate.
He urged increased safeguards by media organizations and regulatory bodies to establish industry-wide protocols that could offer protection to women journalists and others targeted by misinformation.
Surya also acknowledged the extraordinary contributions of female journalists in the media space in terms of awareness regarding social issues, issues of gender-violence, and gaps in policy-making.
He expressed his happiness that their resolve for fair and responsible reporting became a reality, leading to real social change, which he even noted has included infrastructure creation and transparency in law-making.
As we commemorate the anniversary of the IWPC, he called for recognition of the tenacity and dedication of female journalists, from those reporting in the midst of violence to those editing under duress; female journalists leading investigations; and female journalists who have anchored public, important conversations.
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