Udupi: Working journalists’ association calls for crackdown on fake journalists

The delegation of the Udupi district working journalists’ association on Thursday met  Superintendent of Police Akshay Haake Machindra, urging him to take legal action against fake journalists who are extorting money from certain citizens.

The association, a subsidiary of the Karnataka Working Journalists Association Bangalore, has 170 members. However, it has come to their attention that some individuals are collecting money in the name of the association and prominent journalists.

The association clarified that there is no need to pay money to have news published or broadcasted in any newspaper or TV channel. Despite this, they have received complaints about fake journalists who are extorting money from people in exchange for news coverage. The association demanded that legal action be taken against these fake journalists.

Additionally, the association has received complaints about people misusing media and press stickers on their vehicles to bypass police check posts set up throughout the district in the  view of upcoming legislative assembly elections. The association urged that these types of vehicles be thoroughly checked at police posts and strict action be taken against those using them to impersonate journalists.

The Udupi District Working Journalists Association has provided authorized identity cards and stickers to their members.

They advised citizens who are approached for money by individuals claiming to be journalists to file a complaint with the local police station and notify the association.

The delegation that met with Superintendent Machindra included district president Rajesh Shetty Alevoor, chief secretary Nazeer Polya, treasurer Umesh Marpalli, joint secretaries Rahim Ujire and Pramod Suvarna, Kaup taluk chief secretary Pundalika Marate, district committee members Michael Rodrigues and Harish Balayipade, and several association members.