Society president B. Kiran Kumar, vice-president R. Ravikanth Reddy and CEO N. Vamsi Srinivas received the order copy from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, formally handing over the land to the housing society.
Addressing the gathering at Ravindra Bharathi, Revanth Reddy emphasised the crucial role of journalists in society, compared them to doctors who treat social ills. He acknowledged the initiative taken by former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, who allocated housing sites to journalists in Hyderabad in 2008.
He said the previous BRS government had failed to hand over the plots to journalists even after ruling the state for 10 years. Revanth Reddy said the Congress government after coming to power had made sincere efforts in finding a permanent solution to these issues.
"Journalists play a vital role in shaping society by bringing to light its flaws. Our government is committed to ensuring that every eligible journalist in Hyderabad, as well as those in district and mandal headquarters, receives a housing site," said the Chief Minister.
Revanth Reddy also addressed the current state of journalism, urging media professionals to uphold the dignity of their profession. He criticised certain sections of the media for spreading false propaganda and called on professional journalists to take responsibility for maintaining the standards of journalism.
“The government is dedicated to safeguarding genuine journalists. We are determined to counter any unprofessional practices that have tarnished the reputation of this noble profession. Our people's government will continue to seek the guidance and suggestions of the journalist community to build trust in our systems,” he added.
The Chief Minister also announced that the Telangana Media Academy has been instructed to prepare new guidelines to address pending issues such as journalists' health cards, accreditation, and other concerns.
Revenue and I&PR minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy lauded the Chief Minister for fulfilling the Congress government's poll promise of providing house sites to journalists in Hyderabad. He criticised the previous BRS government for failing to hand over the land despite clear directions from the Supreme Court in August 2022.
Srinivas Reddy highlighted that it was the Congress government, both in the past and present, that had consistently supported journalists by providing them with housing sites.
Telangana Media Academy chairman K. Sreenivas Reddy expressed gratitude to Revanth Reddy for swiftly resolving the long-pending housing issue. He pointed out that the previous BRS government had failed to address this matter during its decade-long rule.
The Chief Minister announced the sanction of `10 crore to the Media Academy from the Special Development Fund.
He called for collective efforts in the development of the "Fourth City" in Hyderabad which will be Future City, where eligible journalists will be partners in building a prosperous future and they will be allotted house sites in the Fourth City.
