Buhari makes uturn, clears AIT to cover future events

By Ehi Ekhator, Naija Center News

Probably due to the pressure  within 24 hours after the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari denied the African Independent Television (AIT) from covering his event, over its role during its Presidential campaign, the party has made a quick uturn.

Buhari had barred AIT from covering the visit of Cuban ambassador over a documentary against him during his Presidential campaign.

Nigerians had expressed fear during the campaign that Buhari may repeat history by clamping down on media that would cross his path.

Clearing the controversial issue, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said that all accredited media organisation in the country, including AIT, are free to cover the activities of the President-elect.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the incoming Buhari Administration will not discriminate against any media organisation, irrespective of its role during the electioneering campaign leading up to the recent polls.

 

It however enjoined all media organizations to observe the highest level of professional standards in carrying out their duties.

”There is a Code of Ethics guiding the practice of journalism in Nigeria, and this demands every journalist to ensure a strict adherence to the highest levels of ethics and professionalism in carrying out their duties.

”There must be repercussions, within the realms of the law, for media organizations which have wantonly breached the Code of Ethics of the journalism profession and turned themselves to partisans instead of professionals. But such repercussions will not include barring any accredited media organization from covering the activities of the President-elect,” APC said.

Buhari Media aide had given the reason for barring AIT as family and security reasons, adding that the party would clear issues relating to ethics and security with the outlet before it could cover any future events.

 

Buhari makes uturn, clears AIT to cover future events