Oyo State journalists launch special pass for coronavirus coverage

Segun Showunmi in Ibadan

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council has launched a new pass for journalists covering the coronavirus pandemics in the state in order to curb harassment from security operatives.

Penpushing reports that the council made this known in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Ademola Babalola and Secretary, Sola Oladapo respectively, which was made available to journalists on Wednesday, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The union in the statement called on security agencies in the State to accord journalists carrying the card all the deserved courtesies, stressing “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. We are using this medium to call on security agencies in the state to accord journalists carrying this pass all the deserved courtesies,” the union said.

Penpushing further reports that, the union pointed out that the effort was to put a stop to complaints of harassment by members in the course of discharging their duties, and  however called on the management of media organisations to adopt online editorial meetings forthwith as a measure to protect members.

The union leadership reinstated their call on their members to stop all physical interviews and adhere to the precautionary guidelines issued by health professionals, adding that all members should endeavour to observe social distancing, regular hand washing with soap or frequent use of hand sanitizers.”