We are not part of embargo on Govt functions in Bayelsa- United Correspondents
By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa, Trek Africa Newspaper
The executive and members of the United Correspondents, a group comprising of journalists from national and regional newspapers and under the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have distanced themselves from an embargo place on government functions and press releases in the state.
Rising from a meeting held in Yenagoa, the state capital on Friday, March 18, 2022 the media group said it has the responsibility to source for news and report same for their different media organisations.
A statement signed by Chairman and Secretary of the group, Mr. James Akam and Kenechukwu Obiajuru respectively and made available to newsmen said “that our duty includes informing the public as well as protecting the interest of the journalism profession, our various media organisations and that of the citizens of Bayelsa State and Nigeria at large.
“That as journalists, we are a media professional group and not a political pressure group.
“That members of the United Correspondents were never part of any meeting where an embargo was issued to boycott Bayelsa State Government House press releases or the state government’s functions.
“To that extent, the decision of any chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in the state to boycott Government House press releases and functions is not binding on us. We therefore dissociate ourselves individually and collectively from such a decision or action
“It is pertinent to also state that this clarification does not in any way suggest that chapels under the NUJ in the state do not have the right to demand and protect the rights of their members but that we do not wish to be linked to a resolution we had no right to vote for or against
“Having stated these facts, we wish to, at this point, make it known that we do not have any reason, so far, to place an embargo on press releases emanating from the office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, or boycott any function of the Government of Bayelsa State.”
