National Assembly Rolls Out Tougher Conditions For Journalists’ Accreditation

The office of Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA) on Monday released a stricter “new guidelines for the accreditation of media organizations, journalists/correspondents covering the National Assembly.”

The new guidelines, which takes effect from June 11, 2019, stipulates maximum of one reporter and one cameraman for prints, electronic and online media, in each of the Senate and House of Representatives.

The guidelines classified media accreditations into four namely: permanent, temporary, foreign/international, and freelance accreditations.

To be accredited, a reporter or cameraman would be required to present evidence of certificate of incorporation of the media organization,‎ evidence of membership of professional bodies for media organization, and‎ proof of membership of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) with registration number.

It further requires the media organizations to have a Bureau in Abuja (with Staff strength not less than 5 Editorial staff) and daily circulation of 40,000 copies for the print media with evidence to support the claimed circulation figure.

The media organization must also have experience of covering proceedings of the National Assembly for at least two (2) years before applying for permanent accreditation.

According to the new guidelines, all media organizations will submit a copy of its income tax return for the last two years.

“These new accreditation guidelines shall come into effect from June 11 2019,” it stated.