HC issues notice to govt over media accreditation committee appointments

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The Telangana High Court Single Bench comprising Justice E.V. Venugopal has directed the respondents to file a counter affidavit in a matter concerning the alleged failure of State authorities to appoint a representative of the Telangana Working Journalists Federation to the State Media Accreditation Committee.

The petition was filed by Bodige Basava Punnaiah , General Secretary of the Telangana Working Journalists Federation, a resident of Jillelaguda, Ranga Reddy district, was represented before the Court by his Advocate, Rapolu Bhaskar.

The respondents to the petition are the State of Telangana, represented by its Principal Secretary and Chief Secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department, the Special Commissioner of the Information and Public Relations Department, Telangana, the Chairman of the Telangana Media Academy, and Mamidi Somaiah, former president of the Telangana Working Journalists Federation.

The petitioner contends that the Special Commissioner of the Information and Public Relations department failed to act upon his representation dated 29th December 2025, wherein he sought the appointment of B.Jagadeeshwar, Correspondent at Nava Telangana State Bureau, as a member of the State Media Accreditation Committee on behalf of the Telangana Working Journalists Federation. The petitioner submits that such an appointment was mandated under G.O.Ms. No.229, General Administration (Information and Public Relations) Department, dated 12th February 2026, and that the continued inaction of the respondent authority is unlawful.

It has further been averred that the failure to give effect to the said Government Order constitutes a violation of Articles 14, 15, 21, and 300-A of the Constitution of India, as well as a breach of the Principles of Natural Justice.

The petitioner has accordingly prayed that the respondent Government authorities be directed to consider his representation dated 29th December 2025 and to appoint B.Jagadeeshwar as the organisational representative of the Telangana Working Journalists Federation on the State Media Accreditation Committee. Upon hearing the matter, Justice Venugopal directed the respondents to file a counter affidavit. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing.