Following persistent harassment of its members, the Oyo state Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), has issued new pass to ease passage of its members covering the coronavirus pandemics in he state.
The union in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday signed by its Chairman, Ademola Babalola and Secretary, Sola Oladapo on the new pass asked security agencies in the state to accord journalists with the pass all the deserved courtesies.
“We have received several complaints of harassment by security agencies from our members covering the COVID-19 pandemics in the state. This necessitated the need to produce a special pass signed by the NUJ Chairman to ensure smooth discharge of their duties”, it said.
Oyo NUJ added, “we are using this medium to call on security agencies in the state to accord journalists carrying this pass all the deserved courtesies. The effort is to put a stop to complaints of harassment by members in the course of discharging their duties,” it said
Reiterating its call on the management of media organisations in the state and beyond to adopt online editorial meetings forthwith as a measure to protect members and that journalists should stop all physical interviews and adhere to the precautionary guidelines issued by health professionals, the union stated, “our members should endeavour to observe social distancing, regular hand washing with soap or frequent use of hand sanitizers.”
