Following widespread condemnation and protest against the stringent conditions for journalists seeking to cover activities of the Ninth National Assembly, the NASS leadership has withdrawn the controversial guidelines.
Though no official statement has been issued to that effect, a reliable source in the Senate, however, confirmed the development to Igbere TV on Wednesday.
The source said the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had written the Clerk, Mohammed Sani Omolori, to brief the leadership of both legislative chambers on the matter.
Igbere TV gathered that, following the receipt of the letter, the Clerk directed the Information Director, Agada Rawlings Emmanuel, who signed the document containing the guidelines to immediately withdraw it.
An impeccable source, however, told Igbere TV that a team of NASS officials, comprising Emmanuel and other senior staff, has been raised to work out more acceptable guidelines.
Emmanuel is expected to release a statement containing the amended guidelines once it is ready.
The controversial guidelines released on Monday had stipulated, among others, that each media organisation would submit a copy of its income tax return for the last two years. Also, every newspaper house must show evidence that it circulates at least 40,000 copies daily before qualifying for accreditation.
Other conditions include evidence of certificate of incorporation of the media organisation; evidence of membership of professional bodies for media organisation; proof of membership of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) with registration number and code of certification from the National Library for the media organisation.
Meanwhile, Igbere TV had reported that Senate President Bukola Saraki, has ordered an immediate investigation into the drafting and release of the controversial guidelines.
The directive was contained in a statement issued to Igbere TV on Tuesday.
The statement was signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Olu Onemola.
Saraki said the requirements, which were drafted and made public without the knowledge of the NASS leadership, negated his belief and commitment to press freedom.
According to Saraki, even the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has denied knowledge of the guidelines.
“The attention of the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has just been drawn to a story that is circulating on social media about the National Assembly issuing new guidelines to journalists.
“These alleged guidelines have not emanated from either the Senate President or the Speaker, and will be promptly investigated.“The public should note that the 8th National Assembly has been committed to the freedom of the press as exemplified by its work to bringing governance closer to the people through live streams and live tweets.
“The leadership of the 8th National Assembly believes strongly in the freedom of the press and in carrying the Nigerian public along. Hence, the Senate President and all his colleagues will continue to work to ensure that these freedoms remain unhindered,” the statement read.
