The Chairman and Members of the Correspondence Chapel, Borno state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists have raised alarm over delibrate attempt by Babashaik Haruna, Governor Zulum’s Media Aid to undermined press freedom.
Mr Haruna Dauda Biu, the Chairman Correspondents’ Chapel, who disclosed this in statement released in Maiduguri on Tuesday, said it was dismayed with the attitude of the SSA toward the the mainstream media operating in Borno state.
“It is disheartening to observe that in recent times there seems to be a deliberate attempt by the officer to prevent members of the Correspondents’ chapel who represent various national and international media outfits from doing their jobs.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media who recently assumed the supervisory role of the Governor’s media affairs has continued to engage in an unprofessional conduct by refusing to invite or inform journalists of important public engagements or functions of the Governor in the state.
“This singular act negates the provision of section 22 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended which empowers the press to function freely without any form of hindrance.
The Correspondents’ chapel wishes to remind the SSA Media that good governance and accountability, which his principal, His Excellency Governor Babagana Zulum stands for, can only be achieved when the media is allowed to cover and report the activities of government for effective checks and balances.
The Chapel has on several occasions tried to draw Mr Baba Shiekh’s attention to this unbecoming attitude but to no avail.
To this end, therefore, the Chapel will no longer condone any attempt by Mr Baba Shiekh Haruna or those he delegates to undermine press freedom in Borno state.
