The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged political parties in Enugu State to desist from barring its members from covering their activities/programmes ahead of 2023 general elections.
Mr Sam Udekwe, the Chairman of NUJ, Enugu State Chapter, made the call during a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Enugu, following debarment of journalists by some political parties in the state.
NAN recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had, in their South-East Governorship Screening and Ward Congress to elect delegates in Enugu, barred journalists from covering the event.
The seven-member panel that conducted the screening at the PDP Zonal Office, Enugu in April, refused to address newsmen after they had waited up to 6:30pm.
Udekwe, who described the action as condemnable, said the constitution empowers journalists to do certain duties which they are debarred from.
“As parties are allowed to carry out their activities, they should not deny the media theirs.
“What we know as democracy is not actually what we see all over the country. People carry out their duties without minding infringing into the right of other institutions.
“Freedom of Information Act is there but how often are they accepting these laws, they are supposed to be implemented.
“We are not investigating any political party but to propagate their activities selflessly,” he said, and appealed to political parties to cooperate with the media.
He said, “The media have the right to hold government accountable for the people and we cannot do this assignment if barred.
“They should support us and we promise that we will not be lopsided in our reportage.
“Political parties should give media in the state the latitude to serve them better,” Udekwe said.