Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president on Sunday, accused the Telangana Rashtra Samithi-led government of influencing media coverage of various events in the state.
N Uttam Kumar Reddy, the president of TPCC, was addressing a programme organised by the Telangana Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ) in association with Indian Journalist Union (IJU) of Suryapet district, at Huzurnagar.
He also said that the state government did not support a free press, which was dangerous.
Uttam also quoted former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as saying, “I would rather have a completely free press, with all the dangers involved than a suppressed or regulated press.”
According to Deccan Chronicle, the TPCC chief asked the journalists to stand by the poorest of the poor and highlight the problems being faced by all sections of the society in a transparent and fearless manner.
He also condemned the TRS for showing favours to selected newspapers and channels.
Uttam also demanded that issues of journalists, like delay in issuing accreditation cards, especially to those working in rural areas, should be resolved immediately.
The Hindu quoted him as saying, “All working and non-working journalists should be given Health Cards which should be valid in all corporate and private hospitals.”
He further said that the Congress party would extend full support in resolving the issues concerning the journalists and media organisations in the state.
However, this is not the first time the TPCC chief has criticized the ruling party.
Last year, Uttam termed the performance of the state government in the first half as ‘disappointing’ and also alleged that it had failed to fulfil promises made during 2014 elections.
He highlighted issues such as TRS not clearing dues of crop loan waiver scheme, students’ fees reimbursement, Indiramma housing and other welfare schemes.