In the wake of a copyright controversy involving Asian News International (ANI) and various YouTube creators, several Indian government-run media organizations have now opened up their archives for free or affordable use.
Prominent public broadcasters and agencies such as Prasar Bharati, Akashvani (All India Radio), Doordarshan National, and the Press Information Bureau (PIB) have announced that their content can now be freely used on social media platforms, including YouTube.
Earlier, Press Trust of India (PTI) also made a similar move by allowing creators access to its video content at affordable rates.
Doordarshan National has urged digital creators to make use of its rich media library, stating that Prasar Bharati offers “free 24/7 easily accessible news clips, audio materials, written stories and visuals,” which are “fully copyright-free and authorised for use.” The platform PBShabd has been promoted as a trustworthy and open content repository for independent creators and media professionals.
This initiative follows mounting backlash against Asian News International (ANI) for its alleged misuse of YouTube’s copyright strike system. Prominent creator Mohak Mangal alleged that ANI issued copyright strikes on his videos, which included clips of 9 and 11 seconds from ANI footage. The clips were used in videos covering the Kolkata rape case and ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Mangal further claimed that ANI demanded either a licensing fee or penalty to remove the copyright strikes from his channel.
Following Mangal’s claims, other creators like Rajat Pawar came forward with similar experiences. Pawar alleged ANI offered to drop the strikes in return for a licensing deal costing Rs 18 lakh per year, or else pay a penalty—with the alternative being channel termination.
The dispute has now reached the Delhi High Court, where ANI filed a defamation lawsuit against Mangal. On Thursday, the court directed Mangal to remove specific parts of his video that ANI claimed were defamatory. ANI accused him of spreading misinformation and attempting to damage the agency’s reputation.
The Indian government's decision to provide free or low-cost access to content from Doordarshan, Akashvani, PIB, and other public broadcasters is a major step toward supporting independent creators and journalists.
By making news clips, audio recordings, visuals, and written stories copyright-free, the government is offering a valuable resource in an age where content strikes and copyright claims have become increasingly contentious. This move is especially timely given the ongoing copyright dispute between ANI and multiple YouTube creators, which has raised serious concerns about the misuse of digital copyright enforcement tools.
While the legal battle between ANI and Mohak Mangal continues in the Delhi High Court, the government’s open-access initiative is likely to foster more transparency, fairness, and creativity within India’s digital media landscape. It sets a progressive example of how public media can empower individuals while promoting freedom of expression and responsible content usage on platforms like YouTube and social media.