The pen is mightier than the sword. Those who wield it have the power to question governments, show the truth on the ground and shape public opinion. But what if the appearance of that power could be bought for just Rs 599?
India Today has uncovered some make-believe journalists who covered the recent protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and managed to trace their press identities to websites selling journalistic credentials for a small amount.
The CJP protests brought thousands of young people onto the streets. Some came seeking justice, others demanding political change. But amid the slogans and clashes, there was another race unfolding — a race for likes, views and followers. For some, the protest had become an opportunity to go viral.
The first round of protests, against then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak, saw young reporters, many without the backing of major newsrooms, gaining recognition for their fearless, on-ground coverage. By the second round, this time against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged overreach in connection with the Election Commission's SIR drive, cameras and microphones were everywhere.
But as more people picked up microphones, a question emerged: who was actually reporting, and who was simply playing the part?
India Today spotted one "reporter" carrying a microphone bearing the logo of "Indian Press Union" while reporting from Jantar Mantar. A closer look of the organisation's digital trail revealed that its website was misleading in nature and, in fact, sold microphones, press IDs and other journalistic credentials for a price.
Further checks led us to at least five more websites advertising press identity cards, some for as little as Rs 599. No newsroom, no reporting experience, just a card bearing the words ‘PRESS ID’. But how much power can such a card carry? In the wrong hands, it could be used to evade police scrutiny, gain entry to restricted areas, demand information or, more importantly, give personal claims the appearance of credible reporting.
At least three of these websites were created between February and March 2026. NEED24 dates back to 2022, while FNF was created in 2024 and Indian Press Union (IPU) in 2025. Interestingly, IPU claims to have been operating since 2016, but India Today found no evidence to substantiate this claim. While some of these organisations were spotted at Jantar Mantar, others emerged during India Today’s wider search for websites selling press credentials.
Picture this. Caught in a dispute with your neighbour? Get a press card, write a one-sided, possibly defamatory account of the quarrel, and publish it to intimidate the other party. Had a fight with a colleague? Get a press card and try using your newfound identity to dig up sensitive information about them.
That is how easy a website called ‘Indian Press Union’ has made it to buy the appearance of journalistic authority. The site also displays what appear to be AI-generated images of interviews, press conferences and events to project the image of an established organisation. People have even shared their experiences of using this press identity for their local issues, having bought it for just Rs 1,799.
India Today found dozens of videos showing people associated with the Indian Press Union reporting from the ground at CJP Protest 2.0. They had press cards, microphones and seemingly the freedom to enter restricted areas and question people, all while presenting themselves as journalists.
This is what makes it so dangerous. It is the appearance of journalism bought, not earned, with no editorial oversight, no accountability and no checks on how that authority is used.
The videos posted on their personal Instagram and YouTube channels have garnered lakhs of views. And this is where the power of the pen and the microphone risks being misused, when content presented as journalism reaches thousands without editorial scrutiny or accountability.
And the Indian Press Union is hardly alone. India Today examined six such websites, four of which openly listed prices for press credentials and related services. Hind Media Network advertised a press ID, certificate and online reporter profile for Rs 599. NEED24 News offered an identity card and reporter profile page for Rs 999, while Asian Union Press listed a press ID, membership certificate and even article publishing for the same price. Indian Press Union advertised a printed press card and car sticker for Rs 1,799.
And the offerings do not stop at identity cards. Hind Media Network also advertised a microphone kit for Rs 3,500, while The Frontmedia Federation listed vehicle passes and international press cards. NEED24 News even goes to offer a State Bureau Chief designation on its press card at Rs 25,000 for a year's "validity". Put together, these websites offer almost everything needed to look like a journalist — an identity card, an online profile, published articles and even a microphone.
The question is not whether independent journalists need the backing of big newsrooms. It is who verifies these credentials, what checks are carried out before issuing them, and who takes responsibility when journalism becomes something that can simply be bought.
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