The Anambra State Correspondents’ Chapel( external journalists) on Tuesday, threatened to boycott the activities of the Anambra State Government, citing the nonchalant attitude of government officials towards them.
The state government and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ in the state have since last year, been engulfed in a silent war, with the latter accusing the former of being insensitive to the plight of journalists.
The rift has gone ahead with the correspondents’Chapel on Tuesday, announcing that they will soon boycott all government activities, if the government’s unfavorable disposition towards them continues.
The statement signed by the chapel’s chairman, Chuks Ilozue, and secretary, Tochukwu Ifejika, said the decision came after a review of its relationship with the government.
“Despite several correspondences over the past two years, we have observed a serious lacuna in the relationship between the chapel and the government.
“This includes the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Commissioner for Information Sir Paul Nwosu, and Press Secretary to the Governor Christian Aburime,” they said.
The correspondents’ chapel, which comprises journalists covering the state government activities, expressed frustration over the government’s lack of cooperation and responsiveness to their requests.
The statement highlighted several instances of disregard by government officials, including the failure to respond to inquiries, ignoring requests for interviews, and excluding journalists from important events.
The chapel also lamented the lack of access to information, which has hindered their ability to report accurately and effectively on government activities.
The statement accused the government of showing disdain for the media, citing instances of unconscionable attitude.
The correspondents’ chapel emphasized that their role is to hold the government accountable and provide a platform for the voices of citizens to be heard.
“However, the government’s actions have made it challenging for us to perform our duties, leading to the decision to boycott government activities.
“We call on the government to address these grievances and engage in a more constructive relationship with the media.
“If the issues are not resolved, we will extend this boycott to all government activities, including press conferences and official events,” they said.
The development has sparked concerns among media stakeholders, who fear that the boycott could lead to a breakdown in communication between the government and the public.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the correspondents’ demands and whether a resolution can be reached to restore a positive working relationship between the media and the government.
