Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Leading Indian news agency Asian News International (ANI) has initiated legal proceedings against YouTuber Mohak Mangal, filing a defamation suit in the Delhi High Court. The agency is seeking damages exceeding ₹2 crore, accusing Mangal of publishing false and defamatory content about ANI on his YouTube channel, "Soch by Mohak Mangal," and infringing on their copyrighted material.
ANI contends that Mangal's videos, including titles such as "How News Agencies like ANI & Reuters are Compromised?" and "Is News Agency ANI a Government Mouthpiece?", contain baseless allegations that tarnish its reputation. The news agency asserts that these videos label ANI as a "government propaganda tool," accuse it of biased reporting in favor of the ruling government, and suggest it deliberately plants stories pushed by official sources.
In its plea, ANI argues that such claims are not only untrue but also malicious, designed to damage its credibility built over decades as a reliable and independent news provider. The suit further alleges that Mangal has unlawfully used ANI's copyrighted video footage and content within his own videos without authorization or license, thereby committing copyright infringement.
ANI maintains that it upholds journalistic integrity and that Mangal's videos misrepresent its functioning and editorial independence. The agency states that the YouTuber's content has caused significant harm to its goodwill and professional standing.
The Delhi High Court has taken cognizance of the matter, issuing summons to Mohak Mangal. The case is scheduled for its next hearing in December, where Mangal will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations. This legal battle highlights the increasing friction between established media houses and independent online content creators regarding news dissemination and critique.
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