The Telangana High Court has extended the validity of existing media accreditation cards until April 30, 2026, pending adjudication of petitions challenging the State’s new accreditation rules. The government has been directed to file a counter affidavit.
Published Date – 27 February 2026, 08:49 AM
Hyderabad: In a significant interim relief to working journalists across the State, the Telangana High Court on Thursday directed that existing media accreditation cards shall continue to remain valid till April 30, 2026, pending adjudication of writ petitions challenging the State’s new accreditation rules.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin passed the order while hearing writ petitions filed by the Telangana Urdu Working Journalists’ Federation questioning the validity of G.O. Ms. No. 252 dated 22.12.2025, issued under the Telangana Media Accreditation Rules, 2025, as amended by G.O. Rt. No. 103 dated 24.01.2026.
The petitioners, represented by Advocate Barkat Ali Khan, contended that the impugned Government Orders impose arbitrary eligibility conditions for accreditation based on circulation, gross income, broadcasting time limitations, and unique visitor metrics. It was argued that such criteria are illegal, arbitrary, and violative of principles of natural justice, apart from being contrary to the provisions of the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1955.
During the hearing, the Special Government Pleader informed the Court that the government had taken a decision to temporarily extend the validity of existing accreditation cards by two months to avoid disruption to the professional activities of journalists.
Recording the submission, the Bench directed that all presently valid accreditation cards shall remain in force until April 30, 2026. The Court also granted time to the State government to file a detailed counter affidavit responding to the constitutional and statutory challenges raised against G.O. Ms. No. 252 and the amended G.O. Rt. No. 103. The matter has been posted after four weeks for further hearing.
Meanwhile, accredited journalists across the State will continue to access official events and related facilities without interruption during the extended period, the court stated.
