The Digital News Publishers Association has appointed Puneet Gupt as chairperson, marking a leadership transition at a critical juncture for India’s digital news ecosystem. Gupt succeeds Mariam Mammen Mathew, who completes her two-year term. The appointment was confirmed during a recent DNPA board meeting.
Gupt, who serves as chief operating officer at Times Internet, previously held the role of vice chairperson at DNPA. His elevation reflects continuity in leadership, given his involvement in the association’s key initiatives and industry engagements. His mandate will focus on strengthening DNPA’s role as a collective industry voice, particularly as digital publishing undergoes structural shifts driven by platform dynamics and artificial intelligence.
Gupt said, “Digital news publishers are navigating one of the most consequential shifts the industry has ever seen - from how content is discovered to how it is valued in an AI-driven world. DNPA's role as a unified industry voice has never mattered more. My focus will be on ensuring that our members are not just responding to these changes, but actively contributing to the policy and industry frameworks around them."
Alongside this, Anant Goenka has been appointed vice chairperson, while Dhruba Mukherjee continues in his role as treasurer. Goenka’s appointment brings representation from The Indian Express Group into the association’s leadership, reinforcing collaboration across major digital publishers.
Goenka said, "This is an important moment for DNPA and for the digital news publishing industry in India. There is real value in publishers coming together, sharing perspectives, and building a common understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead. I look forward to contributing to that effort with DNPA members. "
Reflecting on her tenure, Mathew said: "It has been a privilege to lead DNPA at such a pivotal time for the industry. I am confident that under Puneet's leadership, DNPA will continue to grow in influence and impact. I wish the new team every success."
The leadership transition comes at a time when digital publishers are re-evaluating monetisation models, content distribution strategies and platform dependencies. DNPA’s role in shaping policy dialogue, advocating for fair commercial frameworks and addressing challenges related to content valuation is expected to gain further importance under the new leadership.
Sujata Gupta said, "This transition marks an exciting new chapter for DNPA. We have spent the last few years building the credibility, relationships, and frameworks that allow us to engage meaningfully on the issues that matter most to our members. With Puneet and Anant at the helm, we are well-positioned to translate that foundation into tangible outcomes - on policy, on fair commercial frameworks, and on ensuring that digital news publishing remains a sustainable and vital part of India's information ecosystem."
Going forward, DNPA will continue to focus on advancing conversations around technology, regulation and sustainable growth, while positioning itself as a key intermediary between publishers, platforms and policymakers in India’s evolving digital media landscape.
