Journalists barred from covering Bubari’s Plateau visit

 

Many media representatives in Plateau state were yesterday denied coverage of the state visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to Jos, the state capital.
Our correspondent, who was among those not allowed to cover the visit, gathered from the state officials of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) that the state Commissioner of Information provided only 15 accredited press tags to the council.
Secretary to state council of the NUJ, Peter Amine, said: “The state Commissioner of Information has only 15 accredited press tags, and there is no how we can all be at the venue.
“The commissioner said since the events will be aired live on NTA and
PRTV, other colleagues can seat back to cover the event, he said the decision to give few tags was directives from the presidency, that they don’t want too much crowd,” Amine added.
The NUJ leadership said those in the television houses only there camera men were hence allowed to cover.
Majority of journalists, including this writer, stormed the NUJ press centre to protest the circumstances, while some others made up their mind to seat at home and rest.
They expressed shock that such a national event could be handled without regard to their constitutional responsibilities.

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