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Saraki distances self from new NASS guidelines limiting media access

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Oshiomhole not fit to continue in politics let alone being chairman of a party – Saraki

Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Senate President Bukola Saraki, Yusuf Olaniyonu has reacted to the stringent conditions place on the Media by the Management of the National Assembly, describing it as “absolute nonsense.”

NASS had conveyed new guidelines for accreditation of media houses and journalists in a press release titled ‘New Guidelines for Accreditation of Media Organizations, Journalists/Correspondents Covering the National Assembly’ dated May 15 and signed by NASS Director of Information, Emmanuel Agada.

Among the guidelines listed was proof of two year income tax return of media houses, evidence of certificate of incorporation of the media organisations, media houses must be publishing daily with 40,000 daily print run and code of certification from the National Library for the media organisations.

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More so, journalists to be accredited for the 9th Assembly apart from being certified members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists must attach photocopies of their letters of appointment by the media houses while the re-certification form must be endorsed by the Chief Executive Officers of the media outfits.

In his reaction to this development, Olaniyonu said, “this is absolute nonsense (pardon my choice of word). I don’t want to believe this story until I speak with the CNA who is the head of the bureaucracy.

“This is a demonstration of the fact that the political leadership of NASS do not decide most of the things that happen there. This is definitely news to me even as head of the media team of the Chairman of the National Assembly.

“It is perhaps a new policy that will be in force from June 11 when the new NASS will be inaugurated. In any case, I will still try to give advice to the relevant people on an issue which I consider as bordering on press freedom and access to information.”

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