{UAH} Ocen, WBK//Parliament ejects journalists without degrees
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3:59 PM |
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Folks;
This is, in plain language, a parliamentary overreach. How dare parliament places such a demand on employees of a private company, which is outside of Parliament's own overnight!
Were Parliament to make this demand on reporters from government-owned news organizations, I would have no problems with it; but private companies? The news organizations that hired Parliamentary Reporters have verified their competencies. And that's what matters.
The premise of this degree requirement is obvious: Parliament believes that a college graduate is better placed to comprehend parliamentary proceedings, and hopefully, report them in such a fashion.
Unfortunately, a college degree will not address the twin problems that pain this Parliament: biased reporting and poor grasp of the English language.
Moreover, our MPs' own comprehension of the English language is suspect; so, they need to solve that problem before scapegoating independent reporters.
Pojim
Parliament ejects journalists without degrees
Written by URNParliament has issued fresh guidelines requiring journalists accredited to the house to hold a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and at least three years of professional practice.
A letter issued by the Deputy Clerk to Parliament Okello Obabaru states that the new guidelines will facilitate complete, fair, accurate and balanced coverage of both committee and plenary sessions.
The letter requires editors to submit names of reporters accompanied by relevant support documents for accreditation to cover the 10th parliament. The requirements are to be forwarded to the Director, Communication and Public Affairs Chris Obore not later than January 25, 2016.
"A Journalist designated by a media house to cover Parliament is required to demonstrate that he/she has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communication or related fields and has practiced Journalism for at least 3 years," the January 11 letter reads.
A letter issued by the Deputy Clerk to Parliament Okello Obabaru states that the new guidelines will facilitate complete, fair, accurate and balanced coverage of both committee and plenary sessions.
The letter requires editors to submit names of reporters accompanied by relevant support documents for accreditation to cover the 10th parliament. The requirements are to be forwarded to the Director, Communication and Public Affairs Chris Obore not later than January 25, 2016.
"A Journalist designated by a media house to cover Parliament is required to demonstrate that he/she has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communication or related fields and has practiced Journalism for at least 3 years," the January 11 letter reads.
The letter also notes that Parliament reserves the right to grant or withdraw accreditation from an individual.
This latest communication comes after the March 9, 2015 letter signed by Clerk to Parliament Jane Kibirige that intended to eject over 50 journalists who had covered Parliament proceedings for more than five years.
This latest communication comes after the March 9, 2015 letter signed by Clerk to Parliament Jane Kibirige that intended to eject over 50 journalists who had covered Parliament proceedings for more than five years.
The letter was received with bitterness from members of the media fraternity who demanded for its withdrawal.
On March, 12 the Deputy speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah withdrew the letter saying that the directive carried in the letter should be treated as no command saying that the Parliamentary Commission never made any decision to eject Journalists.
On March, 12 the Deputy speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah withdrew the letter saying that the directive carried in the letter should be treated as no command saying that the Parliamentary Commission never made any decision to eject Journalists.
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