In a strongly worded representation to the Telangana Chief Minister, senior journalist and Ph.D. holder in Journalism, Dr. Mahesh Kongara, has urged immediate state-level action to curb the menace of fake journalists, misuse of media accreditation, labour law violations in media houses, and the unregulated growth of digital media platforms.
Dr. Kongara, a resident of Secunderabad, said he had approached major media houses, the Information & Public Relations (I&PR) Department, and the Labour Department seeking information on journalist eligibility and labour law compliance but received either no response or incomplete replies. This, he said, reflected “a systemic failure of transparency, accountability, and regulatory enforcement in the media sector.”
Fake Credentials and Rural Exploitation
According to the representation, submitted on Hyderabad, July 2, 2025, individuals with no journalistic background — including drivers, brokers, and even relatives of media owners — have secured fake accreditation cards using forged documents or political connections. These credentials are allegedly being used for personal gain, intimidation, and unauthorized access to official events.
Dr. Kongara also highlighted the exploitation of rural journalists and stringers, many of whom are unpaid or severely underpaid, forcing them into unethical practices such as blackmail and extortion. He alleged that some employers indirectly support this exploitation by denying formal contracts, wages, and legal protections.
Flouting of G.O. Ms. No. 239 and Accreditation Misuse
The letter pointed to widespread violations of G.O. Ms. No. 239, which prescribes minimum qualifications and experience for media accreditation. It alleged that political influence and unofficial journalist unions often manipulate the issuance of Assembly passes and event permissions, bypassing merit-based systems.
The rise of unregulated YouTube channels, e-papers, and digital news platforms operated by unauthorized individuals was also flagged as a growing threat to public trust, with allegations of misinformation, threats, and criminal activity.
Labour Law and Wage Board Violations
The representation accused several prominent media houses of violating labour laws by denying PF, ESI, health insurance, maternity benefits, and overtime pay, arbitrarily terminating employees without notice, and ignoring Majithia Wage Board recommendations despite Supreme Court directives.
Dr. Kongara said repeated RTI applications and grievances to the Labour Department and Telangana Media Academy had failed to produce corrective action.
Recommendations for Reform
The letter urged the Telangana government to:
- Mandate graduation-level qualifications for journalists, with preference for those holding media ethics credentials.
- Conduct rigorous verification of accreditation applications and prosecute forgery cases.
- Publish a digital list of accredited journalists and disclose government ad allocations.
- Enforce PF, ESI, maternity leave, and wage board compliance.
- Launch a grievance redressal portal and appoint a State Media Ombudsman.
- Regulate digital and rural-level media operations to prevent credential abuse.
“Media Ethics is Democracy’s Shield”
Calling journalism the “Fourth Pillar of Democracy,” Dr. Kongara warned that unqualified imposters and unethical practices were eroding public trust and silencing genuine journalists. He appealed to the Chief Minister to take “bold and decisive steps” to restore integrity, professionalism, and transparency in Telangana’s media landscape.
