*Hyderabad – August 6, 2024*The High Court has invalidated the classification system for small newspapers used in issuing government identification and accreditation cards, a ruling that addresses concerns of discrimination faced by smaller publications.In a landmark decision, the court declared that the division of small newspapers into categories A, B, C, and D for accreditation purposes was invalid. The court also announced the deletion of the provisions related to this classification from Schedule 239.The ruling came in response to a petition filed by T. Krishna from Mahabubnagar, who challenged the 2016 regulations as discriminatory. Krishna argued that the existing rules hindered district-level journalists working for smaller tabloids from accessing accreditation benefits.The bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Srinivasa Rao, conducted a thorough review of the case. Advocate Chikudu Prabhakar, representing the petitioner, contended that the government’s classification system lacked justification and unfairly disadvantaged smaller newspapers.After reviewing the arguments, the court concluded that the government had not provided adequate reasons for the classification. As a result, the provisions were deemed invalid. The court has instructed that new guidelines be established within two months to ensure that district and constituency reporters for small newspapers receive the necessary accreditation benefits.