YouTuber Mohak Mangal alleges extortion by news agency ANI over copyright strikes
New Delhi: Popular YouTuber and policy educator Mohak Mangal has alleged that leading news agency Asian News International (ANI) is engaging in a systematic pattern of extortion under the guise of copyright enforcement. In a video titled "Dear ANI", Mangal details how ANI issued multiple copyright strikes on his YouTube channel and then allegedly demanded a payment of ₹45-50 lakh to revoke the strikes and avoid channel deletion.
Mangal recounted that the issue began when ANI sent a copyright strike over a video he made on the Kolkata rape case, citing the use of just 11 seconds of ANI’s footage in a 16-minute video. This was followed by a second strike for his 38-minute video on Operation Sindoor, in which 9 seconds of footage featuring Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had been used. According to YouTube policy, three copyright strikes can result in immediate channel termination.
Mangal’s team reached out to ANI to understand how to resolve the matter. In recorded conversations and emails shared in his video, ANI employees allegedly demanded ₹45 lakh plus GST to remove the strikes and grant a two-year subscription to ANI’s footage. When asked about the breakdown of the amount, the ANI representative reportedly explained that the penalty for each copyright strike was ₹5 lakh, adding up to ₹40 lakh for eight videos, alongside an optional annual subscription fee.
“If you want it for a year, pay 30 lakhs. If you want it for 2 years, pay 40 lakhs,” the ANI official was quoted as saying, adding, “We are a different mode, we don’t claim revenue. We put the strike.” The official also reportedly remarked, “I like Mohak’s channel, that’s why I’m talking to you,” positioning the deal as a goodwill gesture.
Mangal called the move “extortion,” alleging that ANI has used similar tactics on several creators across ideological lines, citing cases where others were asked to pay between ₹15 to ₹22 lakh and a recent instance of a creator allegedly paying ₹50 lakh for a one-year reprieve. “This is not a copyright claim, this is a hostage negotiation,” Mangal said in his video. “ANI thought I would beg. I won’t bow down.”
ANI, as a newswire service, licenses footage to media houses and organizations. However, Mangal argues that the use of short clips for commentary should fall under “fair use,” a concept that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, news reporting, and education.
In response to the alleged extortion, Mangal has taken the matter to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In an email sent to Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju, he wrote, “They are using it as a threat to extort money from me. They have asked for ₹48L+GST to restore my channel.” He emphasized the broader implications for India’s digital content economy, warning that such tactics, if left unchecked, could threaten the growth of India’s online creator ecosystem.
“Indian creators are ‘digital ambassadors of India representing it on the global stage,’” Mangal quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi from a 2024 creator summit. “This movement will not grow if creators are threatened and extorted for money.”
Mangal has urged fellow creators to document and report similar experiences, and has requested that viewers share the video and contact the Ministry with evidence if they too have faced such threats.
As of now, ANI has not issued a public statement in response to these allegations.
Several Youtubers including Dhruv Rathee, Nitish Rajput, Kunal Kamra and others also came out in support of Mangal.
“Full support to you, it seems like ANI is running an extortion racket. All creators need to unite against this,” wrote Dhruv Rathee commenting on the video.
Popular Youtuber Mahesh Keshwala, a.k.a, highlighted, “Thanks for making this video! Even i got a strike and got asked for 15 lakhs in the name of subscription! FOR USING A 2 SECOND CLIP!”
Fact-checker and journalist Mohammed Zubair also amplified the issue on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Here’s how South Asia’s Leading Multimedia News Agency and Pro-BJP Propaganda Agency @ANI is squeezing several Youtubers for money while YouTube holds a sword on their content. @YouTubeIndia's copyright policy hands @ANI disproportionate power, enabling them to strong-arm creators into licensing deals ranging from ₹15-40 lakh... Several Youtubers have reached out to me with similar complaints."
Zubair tagged YouTube CEO Neal Mohan and the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, calling for greater accountability.
Here's how South Asia's Leading Multimedia News Agency and Pro-BJP Propaganda Agency @ANI is squeezing several Youtubers for money while YouTube holds a sword on their content. @YouTubeIndia's copyright policy hands @ANI disproportionate power, enabling them to strong-arm… pic.twitter.com/Cw7uZImgtu
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 25, 2025
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Nagaland Guv La Ganesan passes away at 80
Kohima, Aug 15 (PTI): Nagaland Governor La Ganesan died on Friday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai, a Raj Bhavan official said.
He was 80.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned Ganesan's demise, and remembered him as a devout nationalist who dedicated his life to service and nation-building.
"He worked hard to expand the BJP across Tamil Nadu. He was deeply passionate about Tamil culture too. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti," Modi said in an X post.
Ganesan, who was undergoing treatment at the ICU of the hospital for the last few days, died on Friday night, a Raj Bhavan spokesperson said.
On August 8, Ganesan had collapsed at his home in Chennai and sustained a head injury, sources said.
He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors admitted him to the ICU to undergo intensive monitoring and treatment.
Ganesan was appointed the 21st Governor of Nagaland on February 12, 2023. He assumed office on February 20 that year.
Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh condoled the death of the Nagaland Governor.
"Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri La Ganesan Ji, Hon'ble Governor of Nagaland and former Governor of Manipur. He will be remembered for his sincere commitment to the welfare of our state and his devoted service to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones in this moment of grief. May his soul rest in eternal peace," he said in an X post.
"Even in the midst of serious matters, he always brought ease with his gentle humour and warmth, a memory I will always cherish," Singh added.
Former BJP MP Rajkumar Ranjan Singh also expressed shock over Ganesan's demise.
"I personally feel shocked at the sudden demise of Shri La Ganesan ji, the former Hon'ble Governor of Manipur and the present Governor of Nagaland today at Chennai. I pray to Gods for a peaceful journey of the departed soul to his heavenly abode. OM SHANTI," he posted on X.
Pained by the passing of Nagaland Governor Thiru La. Ganesan Ji. He will be remembered as a devout nationalist, who dedicated his life to service and nation-building. He worked hard to expand the BJP across Tamil Nadu. He was deeply passionate about Tamil culture too. My thoughts… pic.twitter.com/E1VXtsKul3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2025
