Tuesday, June 17, 2025

REPORTERS’ DIARY: When Off the Record Went Too Far

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In the fast-moving world of political reporting, the unspoken rule is simple — off the record means just that. But this line blurred, and the fallout was swift. During a recent informal interaction, the Chief Minister Revanth Reddy made a sharp comment about MLAs performance. It was the kind of remark that reporters often hear but never broadcast. But not this time. Two leading media houses ran the quote on their scrolls within minutes. It created a ripples — not for what was said, but for the fact that it got out. As expected, quickly scrolls vanished. Damage control began. While the content of the remark didn’t last long on air, the memory of how it leaked has become the real talking point. In a space where trust is everything, this slip-up is being quietly dissected across newsrooms. Some are whispering it was an honest mistake, others are not so sure. Either way, it’s a reminder — off the record is a fragile thing, and once it slips, there’s no unsaying it.

Women Leaders Battle More Than Just Politics
In Telangana’s political circles, the glare may be equal, but the grind certainly isn’t. For women leaders, the fight often extends beyond party politics into personal territory — isolation, slander, and the constant burden of perception. BRS MLC Kavitha, BRS’s confident public face, now finds herself caught in a vortex of silence. As allegations swirl, what she wants most is her own party to speak up — and that silence is louder than any opposition slogan. Minister Konda Surekha, on the other hand, is making noise of a different kind. Her tongue slips have begun to discomfort even those on her side. What should be seen as fiery resistance is slowly being repackaged as liability. Meanwhile, Sunita Rao’s sudden protest at Gandhi Bhavan has sparked whispers of something deeper — perhaps a prelude to reshuffling, or the fallout of internal sabotage. Whatever it is, she’s made it clear she won’t go down quietly. While democracy might exist on paper across parties, for women, it’s far from a level field. They fight harder, bleed quieter, and when they stumble, they’re judged louder. In the din of daily headlines, their battles often go unnoticed – but they rage on, fiercer than ever.

Scribes Relieved After Konda Surekha’s Latest Storm
Konda Surekha has done it again. The Forest, Environment, and Endowments Minister — no stranger to headline-making controversies — has found herself in the eye of yet another storm. This time, it wasn’t Akkineni or KTR, but her sharp claim that ministers used to take commissions while clearing files. The moment the statement surfaced, both BRS and BJP leaders wasted no time. They pounced, training their guns on the Congress government — using Konda Surekha’s comment as the perfect trigger. For a brief moment, it looked like the ruling party would be forced into yet another round of damage control. But in true Surekha style, she didn’t back down. Instead, she clarified that her remarks were about the BRS regime — not her own colleagues — and alleged that the “BRS paid batch” had conveniently clipped the beginning and end of her statement to stir trouble. Interestingly, while most politicians in hot water are quick to pin the blame on journalists, this time scribes were spared the usual accusations. And that hasn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, among the media circles, the most repeated line over the weekend was: “Thank God, at least Konda Surekha didn’t blame us.” A rare relief for journos who are usually the first in the firing line whenever a controversy erupts. With Surekha, the script may be unpredictable — but for once, the press is just watching the show, not starring in it.

Miss World Visit Turns Into Police-Only Show at Ramoji
What was meant to be a glamorous visit by Miss World 2025 contestants to Ramoji Film City ended up being a full-blown power show — not by the organisers, but by the police. The moment contestants arrived, the police-assigned liaison officer vanished, leaving the media confused at the entrance. Journalists with Telangana Tourism Department ID cards were blocked, while those with police IDs breezed in without a hitch. Things got worse at the Bahubali set. After promising media access, the police suddenly changed tune — pushing reporters aside while letting in constables and random guests. Even the I&PR Joint Director’s presence didn’t make a difference, with some officers reportedly clueless about what I&PR even stands for. Only 20 reporters officially invited by the I&PR were turned away. And now the gossip is loud — was this really a state-organised event?

AP’s Media Accreditation Move Sets Off Buzz
There’s a new committee in town, and it’s already got the media circles talking. The Andhra Pradesh government has quietly set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to “revamp” the Media Accreditation Rules — but insiders say it’s less about reform and more about control. With Kolusu Parthasarathy, Kandula Durgesh, and Payyavula Keshav leading the charge, the GoM looks official on paper. But the real chatter is about what’s going unsaid — whispers of a reshuffle in who gets access, who gets cut, and who gets classified as “media” in the first place. Digital and social media journos are eyeing this with a mix of hope and suspicion. Will they finally get formal accreditation? Or is this just a velvet-gloved way to filter dissent? There’s also buzz about the state-level media committee — especially around how “transparency” might conveniently translate to handpicked nominations. Some are already joking that the new criteria might be less about journalism and more about being on the right WhatsApp list. While the official line is all about modernization and inclusivity, newsroom regulars know this playbook too well — committees, drafts, delays, and a quiet tightening of the gate. Recommendations are expected “promptly,” but if history’s any guide, the only thing that moves fast in media policy is the rumour mill.

(Naveena Ghanate, Dr Kolishetty Venkateshwarulu, Samuel Joshua and C Pradeep Kumar)

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