Journalists protest in front of Hyderabad Collector’s Office

Around 50 journalists protesting G.O. Ms. No. 252 on media accreditation rules in Hyderabad were briefly detained by police. TUWJ criticised the order for creating unequal benefits and demanded immediate amendments to ensure uniform treatment for all journalists.

Hyderabad: Around 50 journalists who were holding a protest in front of Hyderabad collector’s office at Lakdikapul, demanding the government revoke G.O. Ms. No 252 on media accreditation rules, were detained by the police on Saturday.

Several journalists under the banner of The Telangana Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ) assembled at the Hyderabad district collector’s office following a protest call by the union.

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The union has strongly criticized the government’s order on media accreditation rules, calling it flawed and divisive. The order introduces two separate cards—“accreditation cards” for field reporters and “media cards” for desk journalists—creating confusion and inequality in benefits.

It also raises freelance experience requirements from 10 to 15 years, imposes cuts on major papers and satellite channels, and denies cards to cable channels. TUWJ leaders have demanded immediate amendments for uniform benefits to all eligible journalists.

All the journalists who were detained were taken to Musheerabad police station in a police van and later released in the evening.