Govt of India allows free use of Doordarshan, AIR, PIB News Content for creators after ANI Copyright Dispute with Youtuber Mohak Mangal. ANI filed a defamation case against YouTuber for his last video titles “Dear ANI…”
Government of India allows Doordarshan, All India Radio (Akashvani), and the Press Information Bureau (PIB) news content for free to digital creators to use them for their content on YouTube, Instagram, and X. The decision posted on social media after the backlash against news agency ANI, which has been accused of misusing YouTube’s copyright strike system to block creators from using even short, contextual clips of its footage.
Govt allows Doordarshan, AIR, PIB News Content for creators under fair-use policy
Prasar Bharati, the parent body of Doordarshan and AIR, has made a vast archive of content accessible to the public, spanning over 50 categories and 15 languages. This includes rare historical visuals, documentaries, explainers, and news clips, which are now available through the PBShabd platform for free to creators.
Akashvani announced that over 50 categories of content in at least 15 Indian languages would be available under this initiative.
The decision is seen as a direct response to the ongoing controversy surrounding ANI’s aggressive copyright claims, which have triggered growing concerns among digital rights activists and content creators. Many argue that YouTube’s automated copyright system has been weaponized to silence criticism or monopolize access, often in legally grey areas.
Government promises a more transparent and open content ecosystem. Historical broadcast footage, Independence Day parades, parliamentary speeches, and rare interviews are now allowed for educational, journalistic, and commentary use.
A senior official from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting told The Financial Express that this was “an effort to level the playing field” and ensure “publicly funded content benefits the public, not gatekeepers.”
Free Usage Condition & Monetization
According to Prasar Bharati and PIB, usage of conetent is permitted on platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and even commercial channels, with some conditions. Attribution guidelines will still apply, and monetization rules may vary based on content type and platform terms.
This initiative will allow content creators to create more engageful content for the viewers. After all content for public figures should be free for public.
