AP Information Commissioner Promises New Journalist Accreditations Soon
Andhra Pradesh Information Commissioner K.S. Vishwanathan has assured that new accreditations will soon be issued to all working journalists across the state. He clarified that the department will not renew the old accreditations but will instead initiate a fresh accreditation process.
A delegation of representatives from the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) met Commissioner K.S. Vishwanathan yesterday and held detailed discussions on the issues faced by journalists and matters related to accreditations. The meeting was attended by APUWJ State President I.V. Subba Rao, General Secretary Kanchala Jayaraj, Electronic Media President Yechuri Shiva, Vice President Chava Ravi, and others.
In their memorandum, the representatives raised several key demands. They urged the formation of accreditation committees at both the state and district levels, and the reconstitution of bodies such as the Journalists’ Protection Committee, Professional Ethics Committee, and Welfare Fund Committee.
The delegation also requested the revival of the Working Journalists’ Welfare Fund and proposed that 5 percent of the government advertisement bill amount be allocated to this fund. They suggested strengthening the health card scheme and forming a tripartite committee comprising representatives from the Information Department, Aarogyasri Trust, and journalists’ associations.
They further appealed for the reinstatement of the Working Journalists’ Accident Insurance Scheme launched in 2016 and the implementation of Wage Board recommendations. They demanded the introduction of a special law, similar to the one in Maharashtra, to prevent attacks on journalists during the course of their duties.
The delegation also requested the restoration of the railway travel concession that was discontinued during the COVID-19 period, the allocation of government advertisements to small and medium newspapers on a rotational basis, pension facilities for retired journalists, allotment of house sites to journalists, and the reinstatement of the Lifetime Achievement Award for senior journalists.
Responding positively to these suggestions, Commissioner K.S. Vishwanathan assured, “We will immediately hold meetings to address journalists’ issues and take the necessary decisions.”
The meeting was also attended by Press Club Secretary Dasari Nagaraju, APUWJ State Executive Member Rambabu, and State Council Member Edakondalu, among others.
A delegation of representatives from the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) met Commissioner K.S. Vishwanathan yesterday and held detailed discussions on the issues faced by journalists and matters related to accreditations. The meeting was attended by APUWJ State President I.V. Subba Rao, General Secretary Kanchala Jayaraj, Electronic Media President Yechuri Shiva, Vice President Chava Ravi, and others.
In their memorandum, the representatives raised several key demands. They urged the formation of accreditation committees at both the state and district levels, and the reconstitution of bodies such as the Journalists’ Protection Committee, Professional Ethics Committee, and Welfare Fund Committee.
The delegation also requested the revival of the Working Journalists’ Welfare Fund and proposed that 5 percent of the government advertisement bill amount be allocated to this fund. They suggested strengthening the health card scheme and forming a tripartite committee comprising representatives from the Information Department, Aarogyasri Trust, and journalists’ associations.
They further appealed for the reinstatement of the Working Journalists’ Accident Insurance Scheme launched in 2016 and the implementation of Wage Board recommendations. They demanded the introduction of a special law, similar to the one in Maharashtra, to prevent attacks on journalists during the course of their duties.
The delegation also requested the restoration of the railway travel concession that was discontinued during the COVID-19 period, the allocation of government advertisements to small and medium newspapers on a rotational basis, pension facilities for retired journalists, allotment of house sites to journalists, and the reinstatement of the Lifetime Achievement Award for senior journalists.
Responding positively to these suggestions, Commissioner K.S. Vishwanathan assured, “We will immediately hold meetings to address journalists’ issues and take the necessary decisions.”
The meeting was also attended by Press Club Secretary Dasari Nagaraju, APUWJ State Executive Member Rambabu, and State Council Member Edakondalu, among others.