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Ebonyi Journalists Bemoan Press Marginalisation Under Umahi’s Gov’t

Famous Reporters47 Comments3112 Mins Read
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Journalists practicing in Ebonyi state now have their hearts in their mouths, following Governor David Nweze Umahi’s threats by the in a life broadcast, where he publicly drew a battle line with members of the press amid COVID-19.Journalists in Ebonyi have obviously suffered from media imperialism and have resorted to leave their cloak of pretence and speak up against the unfair attitudes posed by the Umahi’s led governent which shows little or no regard to the members of the Fourth Estate of the realm.Governor Umahi in his recent live broadcast at the state’s media house, Abakaliki, blankly told the general public that Journalism in the state would no longer be business as usual, as his government, he insisted, would not put up with any practising Journalist who try to ridicule her before the right thinking members of the society, hence no Journalist is permitted to constructively criticize the actions and inactions of the Governent.In his live broadcast, Umahi pointed out that Ebonyi journalist are taking more than required.Hear him, “I will not tolerate Journalists again, they will not continue bringing down the crediblity of Ebonyi state government by bringing false and unverified  report against the state government. Last time, the Correspondent of Sun Newspapers, in Ebony, Mr Chijioke Agwu reported false information on Lassa fever and other related cases and just few days after, Correspondent of vanguard newspapers, in Ebonyi, Mr. Peter Okutu was arrested by the Executive Chairman of Ohaukwu local government area over unverified report made against his government.”I will Ban him live from Government house and other government fuctions I have reported to National chairman of Nigeria union of journalist and state chairman as well. I have also directed to stop their two months stipend to feel what Ebonyians are feeling over their report”.Reportedly, Governor Umahi has already consigned to oblivion that before the introduction of freedom of Information Act by the former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebere Jonathan, many Journalists were assassinated.Meanwhile, Governor should have been informed before assumption of office that the fact that a journalist does not have restrictions, whatsoever, in the course of reportage remains indisputable.However, in the case of the Governor, Journalists are expected to practice within a specified limit otherwise face the burning wrath of Governor Umahi.Right now, Journalists in the state live with the fear of the unknown as the words of the Governor came with glaring indignation that could raze the roof over their heads.Famous Reporters recalls that Governor Umahi has during one of his recent functions slapped the Guardian Newspaper’s Correspondent, Nnamdi Akpa for reporting against the government.Presently, the one million dollars question that reverberates on the minds of Journalists in the state is, who will be the next Journalist to suffer this humiliation, as Governor Umahi has sworn to fight to a finish any erring Journalists in the state.



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