Telangana government approves issuance of 44,706 journalist accreditation cards under revised norms, expanding recognition across print, electronic and digital media sectors.

The Telangana government has approved a significant increase in journalist accreditation across the state, raising the total number of eligible media professionals to 44,706 under newly revised norms.

The decision was reviewed at a meeting in the Secretariat attended by Revenue, Housing and Information & Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and senior I&PR officials. The Minister stated that the expansion aligns with the government’s commitment, under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, to extend recognition to all eligible journalists in a transparent and inclusive manner.

After consultations with journalist unions, the government issued GO 103, modifying earlier provisions to widen eligibility and streamline the process. The updated framework more than doubles the earlier coverage of approximately 23,000 accreditations.

Under the revised structure, 16,056 accreditation cards will be allotted to journalists at the state and district levels, while 28,650 will be distributed among constituency and mandal-level media professionals, covering print, electronic and digital platforms.

Officials clarified that accreditation will be treated as a continuous process rather than a one-time exercise. The move is expected to enhance access to official programmes and welfare benefits, particularly for journalists working in smaller towns and rural regions.

Media observers believe wider accreditation could improve grassroots reporting and institutional access. However, they stress that consistent implementation and fairness will be crucial to maintaining credibility within the press community.