Deccan News Service | Hyderabad : Amid growing concerns over the deterioration of welfare measures for journalists in Telangana, leaders from various media associations have called for a united fight to restore long-pending rights. TUWJ State Executive Committee member Rajesh, Small Newspapers Association State President Yusuf Babu, and General Secretary Ashok expressed serious dissatisfaction over the government’s persistent negligence.

The leaders released a pamphlet announcing the Mahadharna scheduled for December 3 at the Information Department office in Masab Tank. They said that welfare schemes once implemented during the united Andhra Pradesh—such as health security, accreditation, welfare fund support, and protection committees—have completely vanished in Telangana, leaving journalists vulnerable.

They criticised the government for failing to act even after years of appeals regarding the collapse of key welfare mechanisms. The leaders highlighted the dire situation of small and middle-class newspapers, pointing out the 16-month delay in clearance of advertisement bills, despite repeated representations. They said the lack of response from officials has pushed many small publications to the brink.

The speakers also noted that the long-promised house plot allocations for journalists have not been implemented, leaving thousands of media workers in despair. They declared that the December 3 Mahadharna will be an important platform to assert the community’s rights.

Calling for massive participation, they urged editors and journalists from small newspapers across the state to join the protest in large numbers. They warned that if the issues remain unresolved, the agitation would be intensified in the coming days.

The Small and Middle-Class Newspapers Association, affiliated with TUWJ and acting on the call of TUWJ President Virhat Ali, has extended full support to the protest.

IJU member Matangi Das, State Treasurer Azam Khan, and state leaders Iqbal, Usman Rashid, Balakrishna, Ahmed Ali, Murali, Venkataiah, Afroz, Mohsin Ali, Ghaus, Riyasat, Ilyaz, Aman,  Amjad, Anwar, Srinivas, John Shaheed, Qasim, Prakash, Asad, and editors from Urdu, English, and Telugu newspapers attended the program.