Police Arrest Fake Journalist in Rain Bazar; Crackdown on Misuse of Media Titles Initiated

Hyderabad, Nov 13 Safir News — Rain Bazar Police recently arrested an individual who falsely claimed to be a journalist, raising concerns about the widespread misuse of media titles by unverified individuals. The accused, who allegedly presented himself as a journalist, is not affiliated with any recognized media organization registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) or the Information & Public Relations (I&PR) Department.

According to the Rain Bazar SHO , this individual had been using social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, to upload videos under the guise of journalism, often targeting individuals through sensationalized content. Reports indicate that such "fake journalists" have been using these platforms to blackmail victims, demanding substantial sums of money for the removal of videos depicting, among other things, instances of alleged drunk driving.

Higher official of police said to safir news they will implement stricter measures to authenticate journalists' identities and affiliations, using official registration sources like the RNI and I&PR Department to verify credentials. The Special Branch is reportedly monitoring individuals claiming media roles without legitimate backing. A senior officer commented, “We are working with the Information Department to compile lists of registered newspapers and media channels. Any individual falsely claiming to be a journalist or reporter will be held accountable.”

The police urge citizens to remain cautious of individuals claiming to be journalists without valid credentials and ask victims of such blackmail attempts to report them promptly. The crackdown aims to protect the public from exploitation and uphold the credibility of legitimate journalists and media professionals.

Local law enforcement further clarified that live videography in drink-and-drive checks should only be conducted by authorized personnel, and the public should not use such incidents as an opportunity for exploitation. This case highlights the urgent need for awareness and regulation around the use of journalism titles on social media, as well as robust enforcement to maintain the integrity of the profession.