The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) is opposing the new guidelines for accreditation of media organisations and journalists covering the National Assembly (NASS).
This is as the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki Tuesday denied knowledge of the guidelines and promised to conduct investigations into the widely condemned and vexatious guidelines promptly.
GOCOP, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olumide Iyanda, described the new conditionalities which are due to be effected from June 11, 2019, when the ninth National Assembly will be inaugurated, as a brazen violation of press freedom.
The Guild noted with disappointment such requirements that a media organisation seeking accreditation must have a functional bureau in Abuja with staff strength of not less than five editorial staff and daily circulation of 40,000 copies for the print media with evidence to support the figure.
Other requirements include: “All online media must have at least 5000 viewership per day, the site must have been in operation for five years and provide satisfactory evidence to this effect with clippings of the news utilised (especially parliamentary news).
“Only television stations with national coverage and specific independent producers with current running programme on the National Assembly will be allowed access into the Chambers on a permanent basis.”
These guidelines, according to GOCOP, do not only betray an attempt to gag the press and disrespect for the Nigerian constitution, they also expose a National Assembly that is ignorant of the operations and impact of the media in the 21st century.
GOCOP calls on the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately reject the implementation of the guidelines, while calling on all media organisations and lovers of a free press to stand against any attack on the universally recognised freedom of expression.
In a swift reaction to the uproar generated by the ill-conceived guidelines, the Senate President, through his Special Assistant on New Media, Olu Onemola, said that neither he nor the Speaker of the House of Representatives are aware of the new conditions for accreditation of journalists covering the federal legislature.
Onemola said that Saraki remains committed to the freedom of the press and that his antecedents as the Chairman of the 8th National Assembly show that he has always believed in the right of journalists to operate unhindered in order to promote transparency.
The New Media aide also emphasized that the purported issuance of the controversial guidelines would be promptly investigated.
He tweeted:“The attention of the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has just been drawn to a story that is circulating on social media about the National Assembly issuing new guidelines to journalists.
“These alleged guidelines have not emanated from either the Senate President or the Speaker, and will be promptly investigated.
“The public should note that the 8th National Assembly has been committed to the freedom of the press as exemplified by its work to bring governance closer to the people through live streams and live tweets.
“This is because the leadership of the 8th National Assembly believes strongly in the freedom of the press and in carrying the Nigerian public along. Hence, the Senate President and all his colleagues will continue to work to ensure that these freedoms remain unhindered,” Onemola said.
