Hyderabad: The Cable Owners Joint Action Committee (JAC) sought a review of Government Order 252, citing threats to the survival of the cable sector, livelihood security, and the public’s right to information.
JAC representatives submitted a memorandum on Monday to D. S. Jagan at the state office of the Information and Public Relations Department**. They said the implementation of GO 252 had triggered multiple operational and financial problems for cable operators and journalists.
The delegation included JAC convener Barigela Siva, coordinator Chari, and Telangana State Journalists Welfare Association president Ananchinni Venkateshwara Rao, among others. They submitted written representations detailing the economic burden on cable owners and warned that weakening the cable network would disrupt information flow in both rural and urban areas.
GO 252 review demands placed before I&PR officials
In its memorandum, the JAC sought a separate column in the I&PR application portal for accreditation of cable TV journalists. It asked the government to continue the existing accreditation system until issues linked to cable TV accreditation were resolved.
The JAC demanded unconditional issuance of 12 state-level and four district-level accreditation cards. It also sought district-wise official verification of journalists working in cable TV across Telangana.
Other demands included special BPL ration cards for cable journalists, free medical treatment for journalists and their families at government hospitals, and free education for their children in government schools and colleges. The JAC further sought a pension scheme for journalists aged 60 and above and a monthly honorarium of ₹8,000 for each journalist.
JAC representatives said the Joint Director assured them that the proposals would be examined and placed before higher authorities. They expressed hope that discussions at the government level would take place soon.
