India’s External Affairs Minister outlines five key principles for a fairer, tech-enabled global media landscape
At the Global Media Dialogue held under the aegis of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on global media and policy leaders to embrace cultural equity and ethical use of technology in a rapidly transforming world.
Addressing delegates from over 90 countries, Jaishankar set the tone for the high-level dialogue by emphasising the cultural undercurrents shaping global transformation. “We all speak of a world under transformation. It is vital to recognise that the process of change actually has a strong cultural dimension,” he said.
Describing WAVES as a “micro pulse of the global community,” he lauded the convergence of content creators, policymakers, technologists, and artists on one platform.
He framed his keynote around five key ideas:
Cultural Voice and Global Equity: Jaishankar urged nations, especially in the post-colonial world, to reclaim and amplify their cultural identities. “Liberalism has been suppressed by colonialism and power dominance. Sovereignty must also mean reclaiming heritage and creativity,” he said.
Bridging Tradition and Technology: Stressing the need for coexistence, he highlighted that technology should deepen historical awareness rather than disconnect us from it. “Modernity is a quest built on past achievements,” he added.
Global Talent and Storytelling: Jaishankar advocated for policy reforms to facilitate cross-border collaboration in the creative sector, calling for smoother talent mobility to unlock richer, global narratives.
Preparing Youth for the Attention Economy: With storytelling evolving into digital and immersive formats, he underscored the importance of equipping young creators with the skills to thrive in a content-saturated world.
Ethical AI and Media Integrity: Calling AI a transformative force, he warned of emerging challenges in IP protection, bias, and authenticity. “Responsible use of AI will be a growing priority,” he noted.
Jaishankar concluded by positioning WAVES as a platform to deliberate on the future of global media, technology, and cultural inclusion. “WAVES will serve to deliberate on the key issues before the global media, entertainment, and creative worlds,” he affirmed.