For the mainstream media in the Telugu states, this could very well be the toughest of the times. Most mainstream media houses, including the electronic media, are on a cost-cutting and load-shedding mode. Several senior heads have rolled so far.
In at least two Telugu dailies, even the editors are not getting their salaries. In one Telugu daily being run by a BC leader with pro-TDP links, the editor hasn't got salaries for the last five months. In another Telugu daily which has a long and illustrious histoy, the editor has to get his salaries for the last three months. If this is the condition of the editor, one can very well imagine the plight of the lower-level staff. At least four TV channels are unable to pay their salaries on time. As if this was not enough, at least two major media houses - a TV channel and a newspaper, have changed their editors. In one case, the editor has been rehabilitated by taking him into the Government, while in the other, the Editor himself has resigned. In two other reputed media organisations in Telangana, the top bosses have been given posts such as Information Commissioners and have been sent out.
Even other wise, there is a large cost-cutting exercise across the media. In most organisations, the employees deemed 'unproductive' are being shown the door. The same trend might continue for another two years. The situation could improve only ahead of the 2023 elections, says a media analyst.
In at least two Telugu dailies, even the editors are not getting their salaries. In one Telugu daily being run by a BC leader with pro-TDP links, the editor hasn't got salaries for the last five months. In another Telugu daily which has a long and illustrious histoy, the editor has to get his salaries for the last three months. If this is the condition of the editor, one can very well imagine the plight of the lower-level staff. At least four TV channels are unable to pay their salaries on time. As if this was not enough, at least two major media houses - a TV channel and a newspaper, have changed their editors. In one case, the editor has been rehabilitated by taking him into the Government, while in the other, the Editor himself has resigned. In two other reputed media organisations in Telangana, the top bosses have been given posts such as Information Commissioners and have been sent out.
Even other wise, there is a large cost-cutting exercise across the media. In most organisations, the employees deemed 'unproductive' are being shown the door. The same trend might continue for another two years. The situation could improve only ahead of the 2023 elections, says a media analyst.