What it does
FAO Digital Media Hub provides photographs, video and other media about agriculture, food systems and FAO activities. External users can request selected files after registering and explaining their intended use.
Select an asset and use Request Access to explain how it will appear in your project. Approved downloads offer a choice of formats and resolutions; watermarked previews are separate from the original files. FAO says it usually aims to approve requests within 24 hours, so this is a request process rather than immediate access for every external user.
FAO charges no licensing fee for its own material. The normal permission covers noncommercial news, stories and reports that accurately represent the depicted people and situation. Advertising, promotion and non-FAO fundraising need explicit written permission. Its terms also restrict digital alteration and prohibit changes to a photo or video’s core meaning.
Use the specified FAO and photographer credit. Third-party material can have different rights, and the hub’s files are not offered for personal use or archiving by outside organisations.
Strengths
- The Request Access process distinguishes previews from approved originals.
- FAO-owned material is supplied without a licensing fee under its terms.
Watch out for
- External downloads require approval for the intended use.
- Personal use, outside archiving and unapproved promotional use are restricted.
Best for
- Documentarians and editors covering agriculture and food-system issues
Sources
- FAO Digital Media Hub (Oct 27, 2026)
- FAO Digital Media Hub: Frequently Asked Questions (Oct 27, 2026)
- FAO Digital Media Hub: General Terms of Use (Oct 27, 2026)