The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Borno state chapter under the leadership of Alhaji Haruna Dauda-Biu, has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the continued unprofessional conduct exhibited by the Senior Special Assistant Media to the Borno state Governor, Mr Baba Shiekh Haruna to undermine the workings of the media, impugning on press freedom and making their job as journalists difficult.
In a statement issued and signed by the Correspondents’ Chapel Chairman, Alh. Haruna Dauda Biu, the chapel warned that its members will no longer condone any attempt by Mr Baba Shiekh Haruna or those he delegates to undermine press freedom in Borno state.
According to Alh Dauda “ 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 rode to the office as the Chairman of the Borno State Chapter of the NUJ and should know better what press freedom is all about has continued to engage in unprofessional conduct by refusing to invite or inform journalists of important public 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.” The Correspondents Chairman stated.
The statement, however, warned that:” To this end, therefore, the Chapel will no longer condone any attempt by Mr Baba-Sheikh Haruna or those he delegates to undermine press freedom in Borno state.”
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