• Many loopholes in the GO.. Benefits only to big newspapers
• For the praise of big companies
– Injustice to small newspapers
Hyderabad, February 11 (Gatla News): The Congress government claims to be a people’s government. However, it seems that it is showing a stubborn hand to journalists who work as a bridge between the people and the government. The system set up by the government for issuing accreditation cards to journalists is proof of that. There are criticisms that the government’s guidelines are not in line with the guidelines for four or five big newspapers and big news channels. There are allegations that the government is doing injustice to journalists working in small newspapers to gain the praise of the owners of big newspapers. There are criticisms that the government has taken such a decision to gain the approval of media houses. On Tuesday, several journalists protested in front of the office of the State Information and Public Relations Commissioner in Hyderabad. They demanded a revision of the guidelines. Currently, more than 15,000 journalists are working across the state in the small and large print, electronic and digital media. These figures are an estimate of the State Information and Public Relations Department (I&PR). All of them are currently due to receive accreditation cards. It is known that due to the new guidelines, at least half of them are unlikely to receive the cards. Journalist associations allege that G.O. No. 252 issued on December 22 last year is in a way that benefits the owners of big newspapers and big news channels. They are accusing the government of not getting accreditation cards for journalists working in small and medium newspapers and media houses. The recently amended JVO also does injustice to journalists of small media organizations, the objections say. Just like in big newspapers, small newspapers also have film, sports and culture reporters. They are criticizing the lack of flexibility in the JVO given by the government to issue accreditation cards to them. In the press sector, they argue that there are guidelines to ensure that large and medium-sized newspapers (based on circulation) get accreditation cards on a large scale at the state, district and mandal levels. They allege that the guidelines are being given in a way that is too rigid for small press organizations. They complain that there are situations where even those with 20-25 years of experience in the field of journalism do not get cards.
@Journalists are also people..
Journalists work as a bridge between the people and the government. Yet they do not expect anything from the people or the government. What are these terms and conditions given by the management? The government defines newspapers with a circulation of more than 75,001 as large newspapers, newspapers with a circulation of 25,001 to 75,000 as medium newspapers, and newspapers with a circulation of 2,000 to 25,000 as newspapers. So far, we have thought the same thing.. But how should we understand the provision of a large number of accreditation cards to managements with a circulation of more than 2.5 lakh in Annexure-A? Also.. unlike in the JIO, they can survive on a meager salary of 15,001 to 25,000. There is no big difference between a private employee and a journalist. But, the only tool that brings uniqueness is the accreditation card. The one who takes the government’s welfare schemes to the people, creates awareness about them, and takes their problems to the government. Journalists are the ones who do their job not just for pleasure, but as a social responsibility. For those in such a profession, the accreditation card is the key to getting welfare schemes, applying for government health insurance, and allocating house plots. With the Supreme Court’s verdict, the hopes of allocating house plots have already become dreams. On the other hand, CM Revanth Reddy is saying that he will provide house plots to journalists. It seems that along with the CM, other government officials are also positive about the issue. At this time, there is concern among journalists whether they will get the accreditation card or not. Not only that.. If a journalist goes to any government office for professional needs, he has to meet an official. An accreditation card is a kind of entry pass, and journalists are complaining about the government issuing narrow guidelines regarding such accreditation cards.
Circulation. What about creating guidelines so that only one journalist and one photographer can get an accreditation card at the state level? Journalists and journalist associations are appealing to the state government to respond now and issue accreditation cards to all those who are continuing in the journalistic profession, not just as a circulation category of newspapers. There is also a discussion that some journalist associations may go to legal action if the government does not respond.
@What about the new newspapers?
Speaking of big newspapers.. the media industry.. new newspapers keep coming up from time to time. In that case, the government has a moral responsibility to encourage those institutions. But, how justified is it for the state government to formulate guidelines saying that media institutions that have been running for two or three years do not have accreditation cards? According to the 2016 guidelines.. a newspaper should have an Audit Bureau Circulation (ABC) certificate and an IRS certificate. Also.. there are guidelines that the government can examine the Chartered Accountant (CA) certificate in the case of newspapers and media institutions started three years ago. But, this provision was lifted in the guidelines issued in December last year. Due to this, there is a situation where journalists working in newspapers like ‘Vijayakranti’ and ‘Telugu Prabha’ are not getting accreditation cards. Oh my.. As of now, there is no opportunity for the management to get PRGI and RNII certificates. No matter how you look at it.. if you want to get those certificates.. you have to wait until May and June. What about the journalists working in those organizations in such circumstances?
