NGE rejects new accreditation guidelines for national assembly correspondents

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) on Tuesday rejected the new guidelines for accreditation of media organisations and journalists for coverage of the 9th national assembly.

The new guideline allows television, independent producers and online media to present only one reporter for accreditation while radio stations are allowed to have only one reporter.

It also demanded tax return of the last two years and listed existence for at least five years as a condition for accreditation.

The guideline issued by the authorities of the national assembly is due to become effective from June 11.

In a statement by Mary Atolagbe, its general secretary, the guild described the move as an infringement on press freedom.

“It demands among other draconian provisions that a media organisation wishing to be accredited for coverage of NASS activities should submit a copy of its income tax return for the last two years,” the statement read.

“Presentation of evidence of Certificate of Incorporation of the media organisation, evidence of membership of professional bodies for the journalists, maintenance of a functional Bureau in Abuja (staff strength not less than five editorial staff) and daily circulation of 40,000 copies for print media with evidence to support the claimed circulation figure.

“The Guild, however, finds this vexatious, disrespectful and draconian. It is a scurrilous attempt to gag the press in a democracy and it cannot stand.

“These guidelines run contrary to the grains of reason, democratic ideals and they are a clear affront on the letter and spirit of the Nigerian constitution which empowers journalists to freely practice their profession without any gag, muzzling and restriction.

“The NASS guidelines negate the constitutional principle of freedom of expression and run contrary to the African Charter on fundamental rights and the right of the people to know.

“The Guild strongly objects to these guidelines in their entirety as they serve no public good except the myopic interest of its chroniclers and purveyors.

“The Guild is disappointed that the same 8th National Assembly which benefited immensely from free press in its moments of trial has turned around to put the same press in shackles and chains.

“We reject this crude abrasion of our constitutional rights to freely disseminate information. It cannot stand.”

It, therefore, urged all media houses to reject the “infringement” on the nation’s media which fought for restoration of democracy in the nation.