Of no doubt again is the fact that the chief objective of these groups is to fight for the welfare of their members from the MDAs.
This has been going on for years and many journalists have enmass wealth and acquaintances with bigwigs through this syndrome.
The fact remains that this practice has become a threat to the media profession, as journalists duly accredited by the MDAs are now being denied entitlement and access to events. I speak from experience!
I’m particularly concerned about the future of our profession. About the young journalists who desire to build a career in this profession.
Honestly, I think the future is blank and the younger ones have no place in this discipline whose fabric is about to be destroyed by greed all in the name of beat association.
A journalist once said, “Self first is not a sin”. Really? Even when it concerns your colleagues?
I have seen journalists in this city engage themselves in physical fights over entitlement which was said to belong to the Press Corps. No wonder the so called pcpc are taking advantage of our greed.
Times are changing. Journalists are multiplying in their numbers in this City. Some are beginning to realise the effect of these associations. It’s high time that beat exco began to design modalities to carry their colleagues along, particularly the devoted and hard working ones.
This must not be perceived as a weakness on the part of chairmen and their exco members. It’s about oneness, unity, honesty and the fear of God/Allah.
Some would say there’s a process. Let’s be honest, that process is never in existence. They are all fallacies, aimed at subjecting a fellow journalist to the worst form of human degradation that will eventually lead to discouragement.
It’s only in media profession that I have seen the bye-law of a beat association setting aside the constitution of the parent body.
If this menace is not urgently addressed by those concerned, it will soon degenerate into an unredeemable chaos where journalists will be dragging themselves to the court of law. Some may resort to creating more associations in a bid to resist the existing ones, threby throwing the profession into a state of confusion that will no doubt question its integrity.
I passionately appeal to the leadership of NUJ, FCT chapter, ably led by Grace Ike to use her good office to address the situation.
Also to the beat association chairmen and excos, your inputs are needed to nip the threat in bud.
Not forgetting the heads of MDAs. My appeal goes to you. Your role in creating a harmonious working relationship among the journalists covering you is enormous. And the profession is counting on you on this.
Like they say, ‘A stitch in time saves nine’.
Written by Prevail Inegbenose, Spark News Daily, Abuja.
