Editors Guild of India and News Broadcasters Association issued separate statements in which they said Rao's remarks and the recent anti-media actions taken by the Telangana government were a direct attack on the freedom of expression.
In a statement, Editors Guild of India President N Ravi said the guild "views with deep concern the recent spate of anti-media actions by the Chief Minister and the Government of Telangana, reflecting an intolerance that is antithetical to the functioning of a democracy."
"The latest incident relates to the Chief Minister himself attacking sections of the media which he sees as opposed to the culture of Telanagana, even going to the extent of saying that such media should be buried 10 kilometres deep.
"Even if this is a quotation from a Telugu poet, its use in the context of the media is extremely disturbing," the Editors Guild of India statement said.
It also called upon journalists to continue their vigorous and independent coverage of all aspects of politics, society as well as public figures in Telangana "undeterred by such shows of intolerance."
"People in public life need to be reminded of the need for tolerance and acceptance of critical scrutiny, and to respect the constitutionally mandated norms of freedom of expression as laid down by the higher judiciary," the statement said.