Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has launched a new pass for journalists covering coronavirus pandemics in the state to aid easy movement.
The chairman of the union, Ademola Babalola and Secretary, Sola Oladapo, respectively, made this known in a statement issued in Ibadan.
The union, in the statement, called on security agencies to accord journalists carrying the card all the deserved courtesies.
The statement reads: “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 added that the effort was to put a stop to complaints of harassment by members in the course of discharging their duties while also calling on the management of media organisations in the state to adopt online editorial meetings forthwith as a measure to protect members.
The NUJ further restated its call on journalists to stop all physical interviews and adhere to the precautionary guidelines issued by health professionals.
“Our members should endeavour to observe social distancing, regular hand washing with soap or frequent use of hand sanitizers,” it said.
