Trust and credibility will take centre stage at the DNPA Conclave 2026, where industry leaders are set to debate how confidence in news brands will determine the future of journalism in the coming decade.With digital platforms saturated by content and misinformation growing more sophisticated, discussions at the conclave will revolve around a central premise: trust is no longer a soft value but operational infrastructure for news organisations.Discussion on this profoundly relevant issue will be held at length during the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) Conclave 2026, which will be held in New Delhi on February 26. The theme for this year is ‘The New World Order of News: Rewriting the Playbook for a Resilient Digital Future’.Participants are expected to examine what many describe as “post-virality fatigue”, a phase in which audiences, far from being more gullible, are becoming increasingly sceptical and selective about sources. Industry executives argue that scale without credibility is unsustainable, particularly as scrutiny intensifies across platforms.Another key theme will be the credibility dilemma posed by artificial intelligence. As AI tools make content creation faster and cheaper, verification and editorial rigour are emerging as the primary differentiators. In this context, trust is being viewed not merely as a brand attribute but as a systemic capability embedded in newsroom processes.The conclave will also focus on advertiser alignment, with brands now evaluating the quality and safety of publishing environments rather than chasing raw impressions. Executives are expected to discuss how premium partnerships, subscriptions and reader-supported models increasingly hinge on perceived credibility.Industry leaders are likely to discuss how trust directly influences discoverability on digital platforms, audience retention and long-term revenue resilience. With regulatory scrutiny and public expectations rising globally, transparency and accountability mechanisms are also expected to feature prominently in discussions. The broader takeaway underpinning the event: in the coming decade, trust will not simply amplify journalism, it may determine whether it survives.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.DNPA Conclave 2026 serves as a key platform where policymakers, media leaders, and industry experts come 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.
