Asian News International

What does ANI own?
ANI owns the ANI News brand, a multimedia news agency providing text, photo, and video content to media organizations in India and internationally. The company operates bureaus in major Indian cities and maintains correspondents in several international locations.

Is ANI publicly traded?
No. ANI is a privately held company. It is not listed on any stock exchange. The company is owned by its founder, Prem Prakash, and his family. ANI does not have external investors or private equity backing.

Who founded ANI?
ANI was founded in 1971 by Prem Prakash, a veteran Indian photojournalist who previously worked for international news agencies including Associated Press and United Press International. He established ANI to provide news content focused on Indian and South Asian news.

Where is ANI headquartered?
ANI is headquartered in New Delhi, India. The company operates bureaus in major Indian cities including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, with its main operations based in New Delhi.

How many brands does ANI own?
ANI owns one brand: ANI News. The company operates as a single-brand news agency and does not have subsidiaries or separate consumer brands. All content is distributed under the ANI brand.

Who owns ANI?
ANI is owned by its founder, Prem Prakash, and his family. The Prakash family maintains controlling ownership and management of the company. ANI does not have external investors, private equity backing, or public shareholders.

What is the ANI vs. OpenAI lawsuit?
In November 2024, ANI filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI in the Delhi High Court, alleging that OpenAI used ANI's copyrighted content without permission to train its AI models. The case is ongoing as of August 2026 and could set a precedent for how AI companies use news content for training in India.

Asian News International was founded in 1971 by Prem Prakash in New Delhi. Prakash was a photojournalist who previously worked for international news agencies including Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI). He established ANI to provide news content with a focus on Indian and South Asian news for both domestic and international clients.

In its early years, ANI focused on photojournalism, providing news photographs to Indian and international media organizations. The company later expanded into text news and video content. ANI's growth paralleled the expansion of Indian television news channels in the 1990s and 2000s, which created demand for video news content.

During the 1990s, ANI became a significant content provider for India's growing television news industry. The company provided video footage and news packages to multiple TV channels, establishing itself as a key supplier of news content in the Indian market. ANI also partnered with international news agencies including Reuters to distribute international news in India.

In the 2000s and 2010s, ANI expanded its digital content offerings, providing news content to online media platforms and social media channels. The company launched its own digital presence through its website and social media accounts, distributing news directly to consumers alongside its B2B syndication business.

In November 2024, ANI filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI in the Delhi High Court. The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI used ANI's copyrighted news content without authorization to train its large language models, including ChatGPT. ANI sought damages and an injunction preventing OpenAI from using its content. The case is part of a global trend of news organizations suing AI companies over the use of copyrighted content for AI training. Similar lawsuits have been filed by The New York Times, Associated Press, and other news organizations against AI companies.

The Delhi High Court began hearing the case in late 2024. In early 2025, the court issued an interim order requiring OpenAI to take certain measures regarding ANI's content while the case was being adjudicated. The outcome of the lawsuit was pending as of August 2026.

As a privately held news agency, ANI does not publish sustainability reports or ESG disclosures. The company's environmental footprint is relatively small, consisting primarily of office operations and travel for news coverage.

ANI's ethical posture is defined by its journalistic practices. The company follows standard news agency practices including source verification, fact-checking, and editorial oversight. However, ANI has faced criticism from some quarters regarding its coverage of certain political issues, with critics alleging bias in favor of the Indian government on certain topics. ANI maintains that it follows standard journalistic practices and provides balanced coverage.

The company has not pursued B Corp certification or other independent ethical certifications. ANI's journalism ethics are governed by internal editorial policies rather than external certification.

ANI and its journalists have received recognition within the Indian media industry, though specific awards are not widely documented in international sources. Prem Prakash, the founder, has been recognized for his contributions to Indian photojournalism and news agency journalism over a career spanning more than five decades.

ANI's copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI, filed in November 2024 in the Delhi High Court, is the company's most significant public legal matter. The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI used ANI's copyrighted content without permission to train its AI models. The case is part of a global trend of news organizations challenging AI companies' use of copyrighted content. The Delhi High Court issued interim orders in early 2025, and the case was ongoing as of August 2026. The outcome could set a legal precedent for AI training data usage in India.

ANI has faced criticism from some media commentators and opposition politicians regarding its coverage of Indian political issues. Critics have alleged that ANI's coverage tends to favor the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on certain topics. ANI has denied these allegations and maintains that it follows standard journalistic practices. The company's wire service model means that its content is used by media organizations across the political spectrum.

ANI has faced competition-related scrutiny from PTI and other news organizations, though no formal regulatory actions have been taken against the company.