In response to a growing dispute over copyright restrictions in digital media, India’s leading public broadcasters and government media agencies have decided to offer free or low-cost access to their extensive archives.
The initiative, announced by Prasar Bharati, Akashvani (All India Radio), Doordarshan National, and the Press Information Bureau (PIB), allows creators to use government-owned content across social media platforms, including YouTube.
This move follows allegations against ANI, which has been accused of misusing YouTube’s copyright strike mechanism against content creators using brief clips of its footage. Akashvani highlighted the availability of diverse content, spanning 50 categories and 15 languages, while Prasar Bharati emphasised the inclusion of historic visuals, reliable data, and rare clips. The material is reportedly copyright-cleared for public use, enabling independent creators to produce informed and engaging content without licensing restrictions.
With the launch of the digital platform PBShabd, Prasar Bharati aims to support media professionals by providing unrestricted access to quality content. The announcement has been welcomed by several content creators who previously struggled with copyright claims on digital platforms.
