| NEW
DELHI: Conscious of security concerns, the information wing of the Government
– the Press information Bureau – has commenced new electronic press
accreditation card to journalists to replace the normal identity cards issued
so far to the media. This
card will have a validity of two years (till December, 2009). The step will go
a long way in avoiding the annual exercise of renewal for all nationally accredited
journalists, according to Director-General (Media and Communications) Deepak Sandhu. The
electronic card has security features like electronic signature of PIB and Home
Ministry officials and is tamper proof. The card will be colour coded in four
categories – yellow for correspondents, pink for cameramen, white for technicians
and blue for editors. The
present cards, issued after necessary security clearance from the Union Home Ministry,
is a plain laminated card with the photograph of the mediaperson.
PIB
is the nodal agency at the national level, which gives accreditation to press
persons. Over 2000 press persons in different categories will benefit from this
new service. | 
