Fake journalists in illegal liquor trade

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posted on 12 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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ADILABAD: After politicians and officers, it is alleged that some 'mediapersons' are also using their clout to support liquor synd..

ADILABAD: After politicians and officers, it is alleged that some 'mediapersons' are also using their clout to support liquor syndicates. Either due to fear or respect for media, or because of their collusion with the liquor mafia, officials are turning a blind eye to illegal transportation and trade of liquor by so called mediapersons in Adilabad district, particularly at border checkposts.
According to sources, more than 800 media accreditation cards were issued by the information and public relations department to those claiming to be journalists representing different media organisations in Adilabad district. It is said that more than 40 percent of them are fake journalists who are misusing their accreditation cards for illegal transportation of liquor and teakwood in and out of the district in cars and jeeps. But none of them were ever arrested."Most of these 'journalists' claim to be reporters of small local newspapers and magazines. They pay certain amount to small newspaper owners or use their friendship with them to acquire media accreditation from the government.

"Whenever they are caught by us, they flash their ID cards say the liquor or wood they are carrying is for their personal use. We would be left with no choice but to let them go. Some of them even have connections at higher levels and so we are helpless," said a police constable working at one of the check posts on MaharashtraAndhra border. He said that most of the journalists are let off either due to respect or fear of the media.

According to an RTO official, the situation is so bad that during a checking once, an autorickshaw driver displayed his media accreditation card and the officials let him off as the card was genuinely issued by the government. Sources said that accreditation cards are being sold by small newspapers and magazines for `3,000 to `5,000 per year. Seeing the mandal level reporters list for all the 52 mandals in the district, owners of small newspapers and magazines are estimated to be earning anywhere between `1 lakh to `2 lakh per annum by selling accreditation cards.

Meanwhile, the collector reportedly directed the information and public relations department authorities to be careful while issuing media accreditations next year.