In order to check widespread misuse of ‘Press’ stickers, the state media fraternity has swung into action by taking some constructive steps. It has now come up with a newly devised sticker that will carry 3D holograms of APUWJ and APC logos as marks of authenticity and a letter has also been sent to the the newly inducted DGP of the state seeking strict vigil in this regard. This move no doubt will expectedly go a long way in fighting various fraudulent activities that continue unabated under the protective shield of the revered ‘Press’ sticker.

Pasting ‘Press’ stickers on front or rear glasses of four-wheelers or on two-wheelers by persons not at all entitled to do so is actually an old habit and is prevalent all over the country. Time and again there are news of police crackdown on such activities leading to the unearthing of further nefarious activities that somehow continued to thrive using this sticker, an easy gate-pass to so many frontiers of choice. But sadly in spite of the continuity of these crackdowns and penalties along with, it has always been a tough task to contain these ‘smart’ offenders. This phenomenon is not limited to ‘Press’ stickers alone. The likes of ‘Police’, ‘Army’, ‘Advocate’, and many more that carry a certain degree of societal veneration can also be found abundantly and their usage has the sole purpose of hoodwinking the police for certain outlawed purposes that can be both minor and major. From ensuring an extra ease for parking cars in front of shopping complexes or cinema halls to transporting contraband and pirated items of various natures in a presumably hassle-free manner, these stickers have a history of continued misuse throughout the length and breadth of the country. And cashing on the importance and acceptability that the fourth estate enjoys in society, these are always the stickers of choice that are used deftly for evading a prospective police checking.

But going strictly by the parameters of the laid out rules, ‘Press’ stickers are exclusively for the reporters, photographers or videographers from the print and/or electronic media and are issued only with the sole intention for news gathering and related activities under normal circumstances and also for entry to places when there is an imposition of ‘restricted access’ for the common public. But now due to the unscrupulous attitude of a section of people the sanctity of theentire profession is on the threshold of getting tainted.

The measures taken, particularly the introduction of holograms is indeed a timely step. But since it’s a deep-rooted tendency which has been in practice since long, it will take time for a comprehensive cure.