Circulating newspaper PDFs illegal via social media, hurts journalism: INS

Industry body of newspaper media outlets says the practice, which gained steam following lockdown, is in total violation of IPR and is also a threat to society

Circulation of newspaper PDFs by third party applications and social media groups is illegal, said Indian Newspaper Society (INS). According to the industry body of newspaper media outlets in the country, the practice that has gained steam since the lockdown in early-2020, is in total violation of intellectual property rights and apart from hurting the industry, it is a threat to society.

According to INS, mass circulation of newspaper PDFs is robbing the media outlets of their due revenue and impacting their ability to invest in collecting and publishing credible news. "A large pool of journalists, production and distribution staff is