By Jude Michael
The Anambra State Correspondents’ Chapel (external journalists) has threatened to boycott the activities of the Anambra State Government due to the nonchalant attitude of government officials.
In a statement signed by the chapel’s chairman, Chuks Ilozue, and secretary, Tochukwu Ifejika, the group announced its decision after reviewing its relationship with the government.
According to the statement, “Despite several correspondences over the past two years, we have observed a serious lacuna in the relationship between the chapel and the government.
“This includes the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo; Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu; and the Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime.
The Correspondents’ Chapel, which comprises journalists covering the state government activities, expressed frustration over the government’s lack of cooperation and responsiveness to their requests.
The statement highlighted several instances of disregard by government officials, including the failure to respond to inquiries, ignoring requests for interviews, and excluding journalists from important events.
The Chapel also lamented the lack of access to information, which, they said, had hindered their ability to report accurately and effectively on government activities.
The statement accused the government of showing disdain for the media, citing instances of unconscionable attitude.
The Correspondents’ Chapel emphasized that their role was to hold the government accountable and provide a platform for the voices of citizens to be heard.
‘However, the government’s actions have made it challenging for us to perform our duties, leading to the decision to boycott government activities,’ the statement read.
The Chapel called on the government to address their grievances and engage in a more constructive relationship with the media, warning that if the issues were not resolved, the Correspondents’ Chapel would boycott all government activities, including press conferences and official events.
The development has sparked concerns among media stakeholders, who fear that the boycott could lead to a breakdown in communication between the government and the public.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the correspondents’ demands and whether a resolution can be reached to restore a positive working relationship between the media and the government.
