Journalists from various reputable media organisation were on Thursday prevented from entering the inauguration venue of the 80-man transition committee constituted by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the governor elect of Anambra.
The Journalists who had arrived at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Agulu to cover the event expressed frustration that they could not enter the hall to get a first hand experience for better reportage.
Some of the media houses who were said not to be accredited for the event included Daily Trust, News Agency of Nigeria, New Telegraph, This Nigeria, the Guardian ,Nigeria Pilot , Leadership newspapers, Daily Times, the Nation, BusinessDay and a few others.
Mr Okechukwu Maduforo, correspondent of New Telegraph in Awka said that the inauguration was a media event of national importance.
Maduforo said it was unfortunate that Journalists were still being prevented from carrying out their legitimate duty to the society in spite the passage of Freedom of Information Act.
He said that the worst treatment a journalist could get was being denied access to do their job.
“When this transition committee was Inaugurated we filed reports and our various media houses are waiting for us to report the event proper.
“But sadly, we all came here in time only to be told that a hand few had been selected by the media handlers,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Titus Eleweke, the Correspondent of Daily Trust said it was embarrassing that journalists would be turned back from state events.
Eleweke said the response of the receptionists that they don’t want some journalists was ridiculous.
He called on the governor elect to be mindful of the media image he was carrying into his government.
The 80 man committee was chaired by Dr Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of Education
