The Andhra Pradesh government has constituted a high-powered committee to look into cases relating to attacks, murders and harassment of journalists and issued a GO 1913 on Wednesday.

The committee comprises the State Home Minister as chairman, the Information and Public Relations Minister as vice-chairman, representatives of journalists’ associations and the Commissioner of Information and Public Relations as members, according to the Government Order issued on Wednesday.

The move comes after journalists’ organisations demanded effective action in cases involving attacks on scribes and greater protection while discharging their duties.

The government stated in the GO that the committee would help protect the values of journalism as the “Fourth Estate” and address issues concerning the safety of journalists.

The Information and Public Relations Minister Kolusu Parthasarathi held discussions with senior officials on the constitution of the committee, the government said.

The government also stated it had restored facilities such as accreditation and health insurance for journalists. It claimed that several journalists who were eligible for accreditation during the previous government had not received the facility, while the number of accreditations increased after all eligible journalists were considered under the present system.

The government referred to the high-powered committee constituted in 2016 during the previous TDP government and said it had functioned effectively.