Senate president, Bukola Saraki has denied issuing new guidelines for journalists covering the National Assembly.
Saraki who spoke on Tuesday in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on New Media, Mr. Olu Onemola, said the 8th National Assembly remains committed to press freedom and would not have ordered any stringent accreditation procedures for journalists.
“The attention of the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar 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 bring governance closer to the people through live streams and live tweets.
“This is because 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.”
There had been furore over two separate letters issued by the National Assembly management issuing 20 stringent accreditation conditions for journalists and media houses operating in the National Assembly.
