The Press Club Hyderabad : Expanding Horizons, Renewing Leadership ..... Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 The Press Club Hyderabad

Expanding Horizons, Renewing Leadership

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

October 26, 2025

In the late 1970s, while working in BHEL Higher Secondary School as librarian, I made a humble beginning for a career in journalism by frequently writing ‘Letters to the Editor’ by and large to English Language Newspapers. By then, I was already engaged in Public Relations Job pertaining to the School. Parallelly, I developed friendship with professional journalists in Hyderabad, thanks to Bhandaru Srinivasa Rao, then All India Radio News Correspondent.

My initial acquaintances were with Devulapalli Amar, K Srinivas Reddy, T Laxmipathi, Srikanth Vithal, P Sundaram, R Rajendra Prasad, Salandra, Narsing, I Venkat Rao, D Venkatramaiah, Narravula Subba Rao, Akiri Ramakrishna Rao, etc. Consequently, in 1978, encouraged by Journalist Union Leaders Salandra, Narsing, and reinforced by Bhandaru Srinivasa Rao I applied for Regular Membership in the prestigious Press Club Hyderabad, the eligibility of which by and large, to be either a working journalist, or media, and communication professional and obtained it five decades ago.  

Press Club Hyderabad was established as a prominent institution to serve as a hub for journalists, media professionals, and individuals engaged in the field of communication journalism, in the capital of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, and Present Telangana. It was registered as ‘The Press Club Hyderabad’ on May 24, 1964 for providing dedicated space for journalists to use it for professional activities, social get-togethers, networking, and exchange of ideas. The club during its six decades of existence, witnessed numerous political, social, and cultural shifts in the city and state, which influenced its growth too.   

The Club holds an essential place in the media landscape of Hyderabad. Quite a few past and present Office Bearers including Presidents and Secretaries of Press Club Hyderabad, shared valuable information on the Club including the need, concept, genesis and evolution progressively over a period of six decades. This information to a greater extent reflects if not in detail, at least in brief, the growth of journalism in the region, adapting to the ever-changing needs of media professionals.

The Press Club Hyderabad was set up with the goal of fostering unity among journalists, promoting professional standards, and safeguarding press freedom. In its early years, the club played a crucial role in supporting journalists’ rights and providing a forum for discussions on socio-political issues. It has historically taken a strong and positive stand on issues related to press freedom and the welfare of journalists. During periods of political unrest, the club provided a safe space for journalists and voiced concerns over restrictions on media freedom. It has been proactive in advocating for journalists' rights, organizing rallies, and issuing statements on media freedom and concerns at both the state and national levels.

Press Club premises which is presently located in the heart of the city in Somajiguda, subsequent to its shift from APUWJ (Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists) Office in Basheer Bagh in 1994, has been playing a pivotal role in fostering professional development, catalyzing freedom of expression, promoting and supporting media-related activities. Being situated in a strategic location in the city, the club is easily accessible to working journalists, independent media professionals, and other stakeholders.

I still remember those initial days when the premises was allotted and shifted to Somajiguda, mainly due to the efforts of Amar Devulapalli, the then Press Club Secretary and also was a senior office bearer in APUWJ. The representation given by Union General Secretary S Nagesh Kumar and Amar to the then Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, resulted in the announcement in the Union Conference in Suryapet by CM, allotting Somajiguda Premises.  I remember the first elections after the shift, when I was elected as EC member, Amar as Secretary and Prashanth Reddy as President. Though the panels of Prashanth and Amar seriously fought the elections, all of us who contested from different panels met in a cordial atmosphere, in a common friend’s house, after the results.

Promoters of Press Club Hyderabad included B Nageswara Rao of Deccan chronicle, G Rama Rao of Andhra Jyothi, Sitaram of UNI, Simham, Varada chary of Andhra Bhoomi etc. Majority of them were at the helm of AP Union of Working Journalists. Adiraju Venkateswar Rao, who was working with Andhra Jyothi and Janata, served as the Joint Secretary of The Club. Dr Bhaskar Rao was active along with B Nageswara Rao, Adiraju, Channa Reddy of Golconda Patrika, Raza Ali of ANS.

84 years old Dr N Bhaskara Rao, an Eminent Mass Communication Expert, Founder Chairman of Centre for Media Studies (CMS), and a ‘Strategic Adviser and Political Analyst’ recalled his initial involvement dating back to 1973-74 with the club. According to him, Press Clubs mushroomed in India mostly after 1962, including in Hyderabad. He also recalled the opportunity that he had, in playing an active role in activating the club during 1963-65 as a separate body, and as some kind of appendage of APUWJ.

Dr Bhaskara Rao also recalled how he and Adiraju were responsible for giving the club a better visibility in the APUWJ office in the Government allotted building in Basheer Bagh, after obtaining permission to extend the space for use of press club. He also recalled inviting CPI Ideologue Mohit Sen and visiting Thomson Foundation Representative, who was London Times Senior Staffer to the Press Club in the initial days. Dr Bhaskara Rao said that, the Press Club Hyderabad had the unique opportunity of being part of APUWJ and in offering serious journalists of that time to do something great for larger public beyond narrow considerations.

R Ravikanth Reddy while he was President of the Club in an introductory note to the 50 years Golden Jubilee Souvenir, brought out in December 2015, titled ‘Golden Era’ mentioned about visits of Chief Ministers Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy, N Chandrababu Naidu, YS Rajashekhar Reddy, N Kiran Kumar Reddy, K Rosaiah, Vasudhara Raje, Nobel Prize Winner Kailash Satyarthi, Cricketeers Kapil Dev, Md Azharuddin, Noted Writer Taslima Nasreen, Pakistan High Commissioner Abul Basit etc.

Over a period, due to uncompromised, honest, well-intended professional competence and commitment of successive elected office bearers, the club has been able to develop valuable infrastructure facilities. They include meeting rooms, auditorium, conference halls, spaces designed for casual networking and discussions etc. Facilities for relaxing over a ‘Social Drink’ is an added attraction. Members who prefer to come with families have exclusive arrangements. All these make the Club Premises an ideal place of enjoying atmosphere with tasty eateries.

Modern communication tools and technologies, for organizing press conferences, seminars, workshops, networking events, awards, and rewards programs recognizing excellence in journalism, media briefings as well as events to enhance professional knowledge and skills are available. The club regularly hosts press events where important news or developments are shared with media. Despite challenges faced due to the advent of Social and Digital Media the Club stands as a pillar of journalistic integrity, professional development, and cultural exchange in Hyderabad.

The Club continues to be a central gathering platform for journalists to play a critical role to share knowledge and to grow professionally. Advocacy for Press freedom is always on the top of agenda. Senior journalists, editors, and young media professionals from across print, broadcast, and digital media comprise the members. It organizes events, panel discussions, and press briefings on contemporary issues, by inviting prominent persons.

Members of the sixty-one-year-old Press Club, which has seen about 25 Committed Executive Bodies so far, are electing today (October 26, 2025) new office bearers. This democratic exercise, a hallmark of the ‘Club’s Tradition’ signifies not just a change of guard but a reaffirmation of shared commitment to journalistic integrity and professional growth. Fifty-four enthusiastic aspirants contest, representing continuity and renewal, reflecting how the Press Club endures as a living institution, evolving with each generation of media professionals, upholding freedom, fellowship, and fairness. BEST OF LUCK TO ALL.