Kamal Ghorui
The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) Conclave 2026 took place in New Delhi on Thursday, bringing together India’s foremost digital media leaders. The event focused on the dynamic evolution of news, governance, and digital innovation, centered around the theme: “The New World Order of News: Rewriting the Playbook for a Resilient Digital Future.”During the DNPA Conclave 2026, the panel “From Creation to Compensation: Content Economics”, moderated by Prasad Sanyal, Group Business Head at TimesofIndia.com, Indiatimes.com, and Whatshot, delved into the intricacies of content economics. The discussion explored building trust, monetization strategies, and the importance of a digital-first approach in today’s evolving media ecosystem.Speaking at the Conclave, Nandini Bhalla, Editor-in-Chief of The Word Magazine and former editor of Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Brides Today, and Grazia, highlighted the enduring value of print principles in digital journalism: “The Word is digital with a heart of print. All those values that print stands for—trust, research, journalism—we bring them into the digital world where our audience sits. Digital is where all of the action is, but content will always be king, whether it’s on paper or on your phones.”Malini Agarwal, Founder of MissMalini and Co-founder of IF, emphasized the role of authenticity and reliability in digital content: “Anyone can create content. But who do you trust? Whose content do you trust is where the real value lies. Print still has that strength of authenticity, and digital has the pace. The ones that survive will be truthful.”Dhruv Chitgopekar, Co-founder & Partner, Collective Artists Network, added, “Trust is no longer a nice-to-have. Consistency, authenticity, and depth in your content are critical. Digital magnifies the need to be yourself, to be credible, and to invest in your subject expertise.”DNPA Conclave 2026 served as a key platform where policymakers, media leaders, and industry experts came together to discuss the evolving world of news, governance, and digital innovation. Through curated panel discussions and expert-led sessions, the conclave will highlight emerging trends, shared challenges, and the future roadmap for India’s digital media landscape. As the Indian digital news ecosystem faces unprecedented disruption, the conclave underscored that the future of content is defined not just by speed, but by credibility, innovation, and strategic value.The DNPA is a premier Indian industry body representing leading digital media organisations across the country. It is committed to strengthening credible journalism, upholding ethical standards, and enabling sustainable growth in the digital news ecosystem.
