The Telangana High Court has extended the validity of media accreditation cards issued in 2023 to eligible working journalists until September 15, providing temporary relief while the legal challenge to the state’s revised accreditation policy continues. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin passed the interim order while hearing petitions filed by several journalist associations and a media company challenging the Telangana Media Accreditation Rules, 2025. The court clarified that the relief applies only to journalists who already possess valid accreditation cards and will not cover new applicants or those who have never been accredited.

The petitions question the legality of the revised accreditation rules introduced by the Telangana government, which replaced the 2016 policy and brought digital media under the accreditation system for the first time. The new rules prescribe stricter eligibility criteria, including minimum circulation requirements for print publications, visitor benchmarks for digital platforms and separate categories for field reporters and desk journalists. Journalist associations have argued that these provisions are arbitrary and discriminatory, particularly the distinction between field reporters, who receive accreditation cards, and desk journalists, who are issued only identification cards without reporting access.

This is the latest in a series of interim extensions granted by the High Court as the dispute over the new accreditation policy remains unresolved. Earlier, the validity of existing accreditation cards had been extended until April 30 and later until June 16 after the government failed to complete the renewal process. The matter has now been posted for final hearing on September 15, when the High Court is expected to examine the validity of the Telangana Media Accreditation Rules, 2025, and decide the future framework governing accreditation for journalists across the state.