Hyderabad: The Telangana government will issue over 44,000 accreditation cards to eligible journalists across the State, Revenue, Housing and Information & Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said on Thursday.
He stated that the government under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy continues to prioritise journalists’ welfare and security. The Minister reviewed the accreditation cards process at the Secretariat along with Information and Public Relations Commissioner C.H. Priyanka and Chief Minister’s PRO G. Malsur.
Earlier, the government issued G.O. 252 on accreditation cards. Later, it held meetings with journalist unions and examined their suggestions. It then introduced amendments through G.O. 103 to widen eligibility.
Accreditation cards to expand statewide coverage
Under the revised policy, the government will grant 44,706 accreditation cards across print, electronic and digital media platforms. Previously, around 23,000 journalists held such cards. Therefore, the new policy adds more than 21,000 journalists to the system.
Eight newspapers with a circulation of above 2.5 lakh will receive 6,256 cards. Additionally, 24 newspapers with a circulation of 75,000 to 2.5 lakh will receive 17,784 cards.
Thirty newspapers with circulation between 25,001 and 75,000 will receive 3,390 cards. Meanwhile, 169 small newspapers with circulation between 15,001 and 25,000 will get 11,661 cards.
Publications with circulation below 15,000 will receive 226 cards. Periodicals will get 624 cards. Twenty news agencies will get 68 accreditation cards.
In electronic media, 21 satellite channels will receive 4,431 cards. Eight national channels will get 32 cards. Moreover, 100 local cable channels will receive 200 cards. Digital media platforms will get 10 cards.
Out of the total, the government will allocate 16,056 accreditation cards at the state and district levels. It will grant 28,650 cards at the constituency and mandal levels.
The Minister clarified that the issuance of accreditation cards remains a continuous process. He added that the government will review the system periodically and take further steps when necessary.
He reiterated that journalists, as the fourth pillar of democracy, deserve respect, protection and institutional support.