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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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
