Media Academy Refutes Reports on Welfare Fund Bungling
Academy says reforms have improved transparency and timely support for journalists.
Hyderabad: The Telangana Media Academy on Wednesday dismissed reports alleging irregularities in the Telangana Working Journalists’ Welfare Fund, saying they do not reflect the actual situation and create misconceptions.
In a statement, the Academy’s secretary said that since the present government assumed office in December 2023, the functioning of the fund has been streamlined and reforms introduced to ensure timely benefits for journalists. Welfare Fund Committee meetings are now held every three months, applications are processed promptly, and no eligible claim from families of deceased journalists is pending.
The Governing Council has enhanced financial assistance for journalists suffering from severe illness or permanent disability from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Welfare initiatives such as educational support for journalists’ children, medical aid and emergency financial security for families of deceased journalists continue without interruption.
The Academy said training programmes are being conducted in small batches across districts on modern media trends, digital journalism, fact‑checking, artificial intelligence, election regulations and media ethics. Special seminars and training sessions have also been organised for tribal, Urdu and women journalists.