Archive · 3 Sep 2025
Urdu Media Restricted from Telangana Assembly Debate
Imagine the news reporters who write in Urdu, a language spoken by many people in Hyderabad, were not allowed to go to a special meeting at the Telangana Assembly.
The meeting was about a report on a big water project.
Some people are upset because they think it's unfair to stop the Urdu reporters from doing their jobs.
It is especially problematic because Urdu is an important language in the state and many people get their news in Urdu.
One group of people who run the TV stations are also not allowed to go, even though they have permission from the government.
People think this could be wrong because the government is supposed to support freedom of speech.
The government itself had trained Urdu journalists recently which adds to the confusion.
Urdu media representatives were reportedly denied access to the Telangana Assembly session on August 31.
The session discussed the Justice PC Ghose Commission report on the Kaleswaram project.
Cable TV operators accredited by the Telangana government were denied passes.
Activists and some members of the public raised concerns about press freedom.
Urdu is the second official language in Telangana and a large segment of the population consumes news in it.
- Who
- Urdu media representatives and cable TV operators.
- What
- Were denied access to the Telangana Assembly session.
- When
- August 31
- Where
- Telangana Assembly.
- Why
- Unclear, but possibly due to concerns about unauthorized access.
Advocates for Press Freedom
Government and Assembly
Media Access
Advocates for Press Freedom
Urdu media should have unrestricted access to the Assembly sessions.
Government and Assembly
Restricting access may be necessary to control unauthorized entry, potentially due to the rise of YouTubers trying to gain access.
Freedom of Speech
Advocates for Press Freedom
Restricting Urdu media access is a violation of freedom of speech.
Government and Assembly
The government may feel it is acceptable to restrict specific groups of media, based on accreditation, at their discretion.
- Event
- Urdu media denied access to Telangana Assembly session
- Assembly Session Date
- August 31
- Report Discussed
- Justice PC Ghose Commission report on Kaleswaram project
- Official Language
- Urdu is second official language of Telangana
- Accreditation Denied
- Cable TV operators accredited by the Telangana government were denied passes