By Abdul Lauya
Journalists under the aegis of the Correspondents’ Chapel in Taraba State have declared a boycott of all state government activities following the government’s failure to accredit its members for coverage of TARAVEST and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scheduled working visit to the state tomorrow.
In an emergency congress held at the chapel’s secretariat on Tuesday, July 20, 2025, members expressed deep frustration over what they described as deliberate exclusion from reporting key state events of national significance.
The congress particularly condemned the refusal of the state government to issue official accreditation to journalists for the high-profile presidential visit and the TARAVEST investment summit.
TARAVEST, widely regarded as a cornerstone for attracting investment into the state, was expected to provide rich editorial content and economic insights for public discourse.
Journalists argued that their sidelining not only undermined press freedom but deprived the public of credible, independent coverage of events with long-term development implications.
The Chapel further passed a vote of no confidence on the Commissioner for Information, Zainab Usman Jalingo, citing her inability to foster a functional relationship between the state government and the press.
Members accused the commissioner of routinely frustrating journalistic access and failing to build an inclusive media environment.
They noted that the continuous breakdown in media-government relations was unhealthy for democratic accountability and public engagement.
Despite the protest, the Correspondents’ Chapel reaffirmed its commitment to upholding its watchdog role and pledged to continue serving the public with diligence and impartiality.
The resolution, signed by Charles Akpeji, John Mkom, and Femi Bolaji on behalf of the drafting committee, marked a significant flashpoint in the deteriorating relationship between the Taraba State Government and the press corps.
Observers say the boycott sends a strong signal that journalism cannot thrive where access and accountability are routinely denied.
