These media personnel extend their area of operation beyond the Vidhan Soudha to private nursing homes, clinics, chit fund companies, film actors, businessmen and corporators who are known for milking civic bodies. They generally prepare a list of potential targets that have deep pockets. Some also work as informers for corrupt politicians. Through these rackets, they earn more than the standard income from media houses. The controversy runs deeper, with allegations coming forward of these reporters sharing the ransom amount with their bosses, or TV channels fixing targets for their correspondents, particularly those who cover crime and politics.