DNPA Conclave 2026: Navigating technology, inclusion, and future of news in an evolving digital ecosystem | India News

India’s digital public infrastructure is changing the way citizens interact with the state, the economy and each other. From governance and finance to identity verification, these systems operate at a population scale, reshaping expectations around access, trust and authentication. For the media industry, this is more than a technological shift, it is a redefinition of the role of news organizations within the ecosystem of digital citizenship.Digital infrastructure increasingly acts as public architecture, determining who can access information and how quickly. Newsrooms must navigate this landscape carefully, understanding that technology now shapes reach, availability and audience engagement. Authentication and verification systems are establishing new norms for credibility, positioning newsrooms aligned to maintain audience trust in a world of information overload and misinformation.While these systems can extend reach, they also carry the risk of exclusion. Unequal connectivity, literacy gaps, and digital access can deepen the divide if not addressed. Media strategies that prioritize inclusion can ensure that these systems expand opportunities rather than widening gaps.Against this backdrop, the DNPA Conclave 2026 emerges as an important forum for shaping the future of Indian journalism. will be held in New Delhi on February 26 under the theme “Give New World Order of News: Rewriting the Playbook for a Resilient Digital Future,” The conclave will bring together policymakers, media leaders and industry experts to examine the intersection of news, governance and digital innovation.Through curated panels and expert-led sessions, the conclave will highlight emerging trends, shared challenges and strategic pathways for India’s digital news ecosystem. It will explore how news organizations can thrive in a landscape defined by large-scale public technologies, trust-by-design systems and inclusion imperatives.India’s scale and ambitions have attracted global attention. International observers see the country as a laboratory for integrating technology and public interest. For media organizations, this adds responsibility and opportunity. They operate under the global spotlight, translating public infrastructure into trusted news for millions. When technology becomes civic architecture, the media becomes a stakeholder and not just a user. Engaging in this transformation is essential for credibility, relevance and sustainable growth.Some years examine resilience. Others check clarity. 2026 claims both but rewards only the latter. This is the year when industry leaders must decide what they stand for, how they operate and who they serve. This is the year that the rules of the next media age will be decisively written.Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) represents leading digital media organizations across India. Committed to strengthening credible journalism, upholding ethical standards and enabling sustainable growth, DNPA Conclave 2026 will be the platform where these defining questions are debated, given direction and the future of Indian journalism shaped.